Fethullah Gülen, a prominent Islamic cleric and influential figure, passed away recently, marking the end of an era defined by both widespread support and significant controversy. His life spanned decades, characterized by a global following, a complex relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and ultimately, accusations of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in Turkey. This multifaceted legacy leaves behind a considerable impact on global politics and religious discourse, prompting reflection on his influence and the aftermath of his actions.

The Rise and Fall of a Global Movement

Early Life and the Development of Hizmet

Fethullah Gülen, born in 1938 or 1941 (the exact date remains disputed), began his career as an imam, gaining prominence through his unique blend of Sufi mysticism and advocacy for modern democratic values. He championed interfaith dialogue, promoting education and scientific advancement within an Islamic framework. This philosophy attracted a vast following, leading to the creation of Hizmet (“service”), a global network of schools, charities, businesses, and media outlets spanning over 100 countries. Hizmet’s reach extended to the United States, with 150 charter schools established across the nation. This expansion built a substantial and seemingly benevolent global network of influence that operated under the banner of education and charity. The organization’s vast network significantly expanded and enhanced Gülen’s reach and authority around the world, bolstering his status and influencing a significant following that he retained until the end of his life. The early period showed him as a charismatic and effective leader adept at consolidating resources and influence, capable of building complex organizations on an international level.

The Alliance and Subsequent Rift with Erdoğan

Initially, Gülen and Erdoğan, then a rising political force, shared an alliance, with Gülen’s followers actively supporting Erdoğan’s party. The alliance was one born of expediency with the party having a shared opponent in secularist circles. This alliance fueled significant success for both, significantly improving the influence and support for both groups. However, this collaboration faltered as Gülen’s movement grew increasingly critical of Erdoğan’s policies and exposed instances of alleged government corruption. This period showcased the inherent tensions within the relationship, underscoring that power and influence were ever-shifting. The breaking point highlighted the inherent risks and limitations of alliances constructed solely on convenience and shared enmity towards a mutual opponent, illustrating the complexities of maintaining strategic political partnerships. The alliance ultimately led to the dramatic confrontation and the wide-ranging purge and upheaval witnessed under Erdoğan’s leadership after 2016. The early success of the alliance demonstrated the powerful synergy between the social and political spheres, whereas its ending provided a stark and powerful warning about the potential consequences that arise from unfettered ambitions and strategic maneuvering in high stakes political settings.

The 2016 Coup Attempt and its Aftermath

Accusations and Denials

The failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey plunged Gülen and his movement into the heart of a global political storm. The Turkish government directly accused Gülen of masterminding the attempt, presenting this as a direct threat against Erdogan’s rule and democracy within the country. Gülen vehemently denied any involvement and supporters echoed these assertions, suggesting they were part of a politically-motivated crackdown. This marked a drastic and unexpected shift from prior years with a swift pivot away from alignment with a Turkish leader to finding themselves at the focal point of accusations centered around an attempted coup. This event demonstrated how political realities can suddenly change even those leaders or social movements that have seen consistent periods of growth.

The Crackdown in Turkey

Turkey launched a widespread crackdown on Gülen’s followers, arresting tens of thousands, purging many from government positions, and shutting down numerous institutions linked to the movement. This action created a humanitarian and political crisis in Turkey with the swift arrests and incarcerations of countless numbers of individuals who were either supporters of Gulen or perceived to be a potential part of a dangerous political movement. This event left hundreds of thousands affected, leaving the community with the devastating reality that they were now the targets of state-sponsored violence. This underscored the immense and sweeping scale of the aftermath following the failed 2016 coup, which ultimately demonstrated that an entire movement was subject to immediate, aggressive action. The dramatic events showcased how fragile and contingent the established position of a movement might be if embroiled in high-level conflicts between political entities, leading to dire ramifications and significant upheavals.

Gülen’s Legacy and the Future of Hizmet

A Contested Legacy

Gülen’s legacy remains fiercely contested. His supporters point to his promotion of interfaith dialogue, educational initiatives, and charitable works. Critics highlight the accusations of orchestrating a coup attempt, the authoritarian tendencies of Hizmet, and the damage caused by the resulting crackdown in Turkey. Gülen’s life, from his earliest days as an Imam in Turkey to his self-imposed exile in the U.S. paints a far more nuanced image than that of a monolithic villain or a benevolent global philanthropist. The image presents a leader whose influence continues to evolve and challenge historical narrative while sparking controversy and debate about the nature of social influence and leadership. The varied narratives paint an unclear and incomplete portrait of Gülen himself, presenting his life not as a simple dichotomy of positive or negative influence but rather a vast array of interactions, perspectives and challenges that defined his work in his native Turkey as well as elsewhere.

Uncertain Future of Hizmet

The future of Hizmet remains uncertain following Gülen’s death. The organization’s global reach has been significantly impacted by the post-coup crackdown. Without clear and unified leadership, the already vulnerable organization continues to risk decline and fragmenting further. Its future will depend on the ability of its surviving members to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, uphold and potentially redefine its foundational principles, and adapt to the post-Gülen era while potentially facing immense and ongoing political persecution. It is likely that the organization will witness profound changes given the many uncertainties facing the organization now in the absence of its founding leader. It seems likely that existing factions may experience friction and compete for internal power struggles or a complete realignment of political affiliations which could also severely hamper its overall organizational growth and influence. The absence of strong unifying leadership creates significant vulnerabilities for a network such as Hizmet to maintain its structure and integrity.

Take Away Points:

• Fethullah Gülen’s death marks the end of a highly influential yet controversial figure in global politics and Islamic discourse.
• His movement, Hizmet, achieved a global presence through educational and charitable initiatives but faced a severe crackdown following the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.
• Accusations of orchestrating the coup attempt remain central to the controversy surrounding Gülen’s legacy.
• The future of Hizmet and its global network is uncertain in the wake of his death.
• Gülen’s life and legacy continue to spur extensive debate and interpretation.