What Happened to Muhammed Fethullah Gülen?
Fethullah Gülen was a Turkish Islamic scholar, preacher, and leader of the transnational Gülen movement (Hizmet). He lived in self-imposed exile in the United States from 1999 until his death in October 2024, facing accusations from the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of orchestrating the 2016 attempted coup and leading a terrorist organization. Despite his death, the Turkish government continues its extensive crackdown on individuals and entities allegedly linked to his movement as of early 2026.
Quick Answer
Fethullah Gülen, the influential Turkish Islamic scholar and leader of the Hizmet movement, died on October 20, 2024, at the age of 83, in Pennsylvania, U.S., where he had lived in self-exile since 1999. He was accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the 2016 attempted coup, a charge he consistently denied. As of March 2026, the Turkish government continues its widespread crackdown on individuals and organizations alleged to have links to the Gülen movement, with thousands facing arrests, detentions, and trials.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Korucuk, Turkey
Muhammed Fethullah Gülen was born in a small village near Erzurum, Turkey.
Begins career as a state imam
Gülen served as a local state imam from 1959 to 1981, developing his religious and spiritual influence.
Gülen movement globalizes through educational initiatives
The Hizmet movement, inspired by Gülen's teachings, began to expand internationally, establishing schools and promoting interfaith dialogue.
Relocates to the United States
Gülen moved to the U.S. for medical treatment and subsequently remained in self-exile in Pennsylvania.
Corruption investigations lead to fallout with Erdoğan
Corruption probes implicating Erdoğan's government led to a severe rift between Gülen and Erdoğan, who accused the movement of conspiracy.
Gülen movement designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey
The Turkish government officially labeled the Gülen movement as a terrorist organization (FETÖ).
Turkish coup attempt, Gülen accused of masterminding
Factions within the Turkish military attempted a coup, which President Erdoğan immediately blamed on Fethullah Gülen. Gülen denied involvement.
Turkey formally requests Gülen's extradition from the U.S.
Turkey submitted a formal request for Gülen's extradition, though initially not directly related to the coup attempt. The U.S. consistently rejected these requests.
Turkish government denaturalizes Gülen
Gülen's Turkish citizenship was revoked by the Turkish government.
Fethullah Gülen dies in Pennsylvania, U.S.
Gülen passed away at a hospital in Pennsylvania at the age of 83 due to natural causes, including heart and kidney failure.
U.S. officially informs Turkey of Gülen's death
The U.S. State Department officially confirmed Gülen's death to Turkish authorities through diplomatic channels, leading to its registration in Turkey's civil registry.
Turkey detains 132 in operations over alleged Gülen links
Turkish authorities conducted widespread operations, detaining 132 individuals across multiple provinces as part of the ongoing crackdown on the Gülen movement.
Turkey blocks nearly 400 Gülen-linked social media accounts
Turkey's Communications Directorate announced the blocking of 379 social media accounts, claiming they were spreading 'terrorist propaganda' linked to the Gülen movement.
Key suspect in 2016 coup attempt detained in Istanbul
A high-profile suspect, Bedrettin Gunebakmaz, linked to the Gülen movement's naval network and the 2016 coup attempt, was detained in Istanbul.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, born in 1941 in Korucuk, Turkey, rose to prominence as an Islamic scholar and preacher, inspiring the Hizmet (Service) movement, a transnational civic initiative focused on education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian aid. His teachings, influenced by Sufi Kurdish Quranic scholar Said Nursi, advocated for a moderate Islam embracing democratic modernity and altruistic service.
Gülen relocated to the United States in March 1999 for medical treatment and remained there in self-exile near Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Initially, his movement was seen as an ally to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), providing political and administrative support. However, this alliance began to crumble around 2013, following corruption investigations that implicated Erdoğan's inner circle, which Erdoğan dismissed as a 'Gülenist coup' and a conspiracy.
The relationship deteriorated sharply after the failed military coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016. President Erdoğan immediately accused Gülen of orchestrating the coup, designating the Gülen movement as a terrorist organization (FETÖ). Gülen vehemently denied any involvement, condemning the coup 'in the strongest terms.' Despite Turkey's repeated requests for his extradition, the U.S. government did not find sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.
In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Turkey launched a massive crackdown, leading to the arrest or imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of citizens, the dismissal of over 150,000 state workers, and the closure of numerous businesses, schools, and media outlets linked to the movement. Gülen was denaturalized by the Turkish government in 2017. He continued to live in the U.S. until his death on October 20, 2024, at the age of 83, due to natural causes, including heart and kidney failure. His body was buried in Pennsylvania, contrary to his wish to be interred in İzmir, due to the political situation in Turkey.
As of March 2026, the Turkish government's crackdown on alleged Gülen movement members continues unabated. In January 2026, Turkish authorities detained 132 people in operations across multiple provinces over alleged Gülen links. In February 2026, a high-profile suspect linked to the movement's naval network was detained in Istanbul. The Communications Directorate also blocked nearly 400 social media accounts in January 2026, claiming they were spreading 'terrorist propaganda' linked to the movement. Human rights organizations continue to report on ongoing detentions, unfair trials, and human rights violations against individuals accused of ties to the movement. The movement itself, known as Hizmet, continues its activities globally, emphasizing education, dialogue, and community building, with its leadership affirming its continuation despite Gülen's passing.