Fethullah Gulen, le clerc accusé d’avoir orchestré un coup d’Etat en Turquie, est décédé.

Fethullah Gulen, the controversial cleric who founded a powerful Islamic movement in Turkey and was accused of orchestrating a failed coup against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016, has passed away at the age of 83. His death, confirmed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Turkish politics.

Gulen, who had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, was once a close ally of Erdogan. However, their relationship soured over time, leading to a dramatic fallout culminating in the attempted coup in 2016. Erdogan blamed Gulen for the uprising, which resulted in the deaths of 250 people, and labeled his movement a terrorist organization.

Despite vehemently denying any involvement in the coup, Gulen’s once-influential movement, known as « Hizmet, » has since been dismantled in Turkey and its global reach diminished. Fidan, the Foreign Minister, emphasized that Turkey’s fight against Gulen’s followers would continue even after his death.

Gulen, known to his supporters as Hodjaefendi, rose to fame as a preacher in Turkey in the 1960s and built a vast network of schools and institutions both in Turkey and abroad. His moderate brand of Islam focused on education, free markets, and interfaith dialogue, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds.

The cleric’s death is seen as a turning point by Turkish authorities, who hope it will end the influence of his movement over Turkish youth. The country has been in a state of political turmoil since the attempted coup, with thousands of people arrested or dismissed from their positions in the ensuing crackdown on Gulen’s followers.

While Gulen’s death represents the end of an era, the repercussions of his actions and legacy continue to shape Turkish politics. The country remains divided over his role in the coup and the future of his movement. As Turkey moves forward, it is clear that the controversial figure of Fethullah Gulen will leave a lasting impact on the nation’s history.