Mr. Fetullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric, has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States for many years. He was accused by the Turkish government of plotting a failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. The coup attempt, which took place on July 15, 2016, caused widespread chaos and violence in Turkey, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people. Erdogan accused Gulen of being the mastermind behind the coup and called for his extradition to Turkey to face trial.
Gulen denied any involvement in the coup attempt and condemned the violence that occurred during the coup. He has been living in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s after fleeing Turkey to escape persecution by the government. Gulen is the leader of a global network of schools, businesses, and charities known as the Gulen movement, which promotes moderate Islam and education. The movement has millions of followers around the world and has been praised for its work in education and interfaith dialogue.
The Turkish government has labeled the Gulen movement a terrorist organization and has cracked down on its members and supporters in the wake of the failed coup. Thousands of people, including teachers, journalists, and civil servants, have been arrested and imprisoned on charges of being affiliated with the movement. The government has also shut down schools, media outlets, and businesses linked to Gulen.
In the United States, Gulen has lived a quiet life in self-imposed exile, running his network of schools and charities from afar. He has denied the Turkish government’s accusations and has called for an independent international investigation into the coup attempt. Despite calls from the Turkish government for his extradition, the US government has not taken action against Gulen, citing a lack of credible evidence linking him to the coup.
The Turkish government’s crackdown on the Gulen movement has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and foreign governments, who have raised concerns about the erosion of democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. The government’s actions have strained relations with the United States and other Western countries, who have called for due process and respect for human rights in dealing with those accused of involvement in the coup. The situation has also reignited debates about the balance between security and civil liberties in the fight against terrorism.
Despite the accusations and crackdown by the Turkish government, Gulen remains a divisive figure in Turkey and beyond. Supporters see him as a champion of moderate Islam and education, while critics view him as a dangerous extremist who seeks to destabilize the government. The ongoing feud between Gulen and Erdogan has fueled political tensions in Turkey and has had repercussions on the country’s international relations. The future of the Gulen movement and its role in Turkish society remains uncertain as the government continues its campaign against its members and supporters.
