ISTANBUL: Prominent Turkish leader and US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, has passed away, aged 83.
The news of Gulen’s death was announced by Herkul, a website that published his sermons. Taking to the social networking website, X (formerly Twitter), Herkul confirmed that the cleric passed away on Sunday evening in a US hospital where he was getting treatment.
Known to the followers of his movement “Hizmet” meaning “service” in Turkish, as Hodjaefendi or respected teacher, Gulen sought to spread the message of a moderate Islam, one that promotes Western-style education alongside free market and interfaith communication, respectively. Since the failed coup in 2016, Gulen’s movement has been systematically dismantled leading to a decline in international influence.
THAAD System ‘in place’ in Israel confirms US Defense Secretary
WHO to Evacuate Women and Children from Gaza for Urgent Medical Care
Indian Groom Marries Pakistani Bride Online Amid Visa Issues, Love Wins
Senate passes “The Constitution Twenty-Sixth Amendment Bill, 2024”
Born in a village of Erzurum, Fethullah Gulen, was the son of an Imam who studied the Quran from an early age. In 1959, Gulen was appointed as the mosque imam in Edirne, a northwestern city, where he rose in prominence as a preacher. Then, in the 1960s he set up student dormitories in Izmir where he would visit tea houses and preach. Gradually, his influence increased from an informal network to international influence through Central Asia, Africa and even the West.
Previously an ally of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the two had a falling out after Erdoğan held Gulen responsible for the 2016 attempted coup in Türkiye, when nearly 250 people died. However, Gulen denied involvement in the matter having self-exiled to the US, back in 1999.
32 Indian flights receive bomb threats in a single day
PPP fulfilling promises made in Charter of Democracy: Bilawal
Law Minister presents Constitutional Amendment Bill in Senate
Constitutional amendment to benefit country: Law Minister
Growing tensions between the two reached its climax in December 2013 when investigations were made targeting ministers and officials close to Erdoğan. In 2014, an arrest warrant was issued for Gulen and two years later, his Hizmet movement was labelled a terrorist group. In the wake of the failed coup, in 2016, Erdoğan described Gulen’s network as traitors, “like a cancer”. Then hundreds of schools, companies, and media houses associated with Gulen were shut down and their assets seized.
Gulen strongly condemned the coup. In a statement he said: “As someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt”. In a crackdown against the failed coup, approximately 77,000 people were arrested and another 150,000 government workers including teachers, judges and soldiers were suspended from duty under emergency rule.
Punjab Govt plans artificial rain to overcome smog
Federal Cabinet approves 26th Constitutional Amendment’s draft
Pakistan’s envoy calls for resolving Kashmir issue as per UNSC resolutions
Over 1.5m applications received under Green Tractor Program
CAEDA to make investment of $13b in Pakistan
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more. Download our app for the latest news, updates & interesting content!
