Prominent individuals, including politicians, theologians and activists, from around the world have paid tribute to the teachings and perspectives of Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen that inspired a global social movement. Meanwhile, in Turkey, people expressing condolences for Gülen are facing legal action and arrest.
Gülen had long been one of Turkey’s most important scholars, with millions of followers in his native country and around the world. His philosophy blended Sufism — a mystical form of Islam — with staunch advocacy for democracy, education, science and interfaith dialogue. His followers built a loosely affiliated global network of charitable foundations, professional associations, businesses and schools in more than 100 countries.
Gülen had been living in the United States since 1999 and passed away at a hospital in Pennsylvania on Sunday evening at the age of 83, according to the Gülen-affiliated Herkul website.
As family, friends and followers gather on Thursday to pay their respects to the influential spiritual leader during a funeral service in Sussex County, New Jersey, messages of condolence have been pouring in from around the world.
Tushar Arun Gandhi, an Indian author and great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, was among the first people who conveyed condolences for Gülen, who died in exile from his “beloved country,” on X.
“Another voice of peace muted. A great loss to humanity,” Gandhi said.
Rest in Peace Fatehullah Gulen in exile from his beloved Country. Another voice of peace muted a great loss to humanity🤲🏾
— Tushar GANDHI Manavta Meri Jaat. (@TusharG) October 21, 2024
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson relayed his condolences to former NBA player and activist Enes Kanter Freedom, one of Gülen’s prominent supporters and an outspoken critic of the Turkish regime.
“Hey, brother. … I’m so sorry to hear about this loss. … I am praying for you and all the family and friends of Mr. Gulen,” Johnson told Freedom.
American politician and former governor of Kansas Sam Brownback also said in a tweet that he was “saddened” to learn of the passing of Gülen while drawing attention to the government-led crackdown on Gülen followers.
“He and his followers have been targeted and wrongly branded as terrorists by the Turkish government, persecuted and imprisoned. Civil liberties there have diminished for everyone. Respect for the rule of law must be restored,” Brownback added.
Saddened to learn of the passing of Fethullah Gülen. He and his followers have been targeted and wrongly branded as terrorists by the Turkish government, persecuted and imprisoned. Civil liberties there have diminished for everyone. Respect for the rule of law must be restored.
— Sam Brownback (@SamuelBrownback) October 21, 2024
Craig Michael Considine, an American sociologist, author and senior lecturer in sociology at Rice University, said in his message of condolence that Gülen’s “vision of peace inspired the world and his work in the educational, civic and interfaith spheres transformed the lives of countless human beings.”
“RIP Fethullah Gülen. … His spirit will shine through the people that he touched and the generations yet to come. May he be with all the angels and the saints,” Considine said.
RIP Fethullah Gülen. His vision of peace inspired the world and his work in the educational, civic, and interfaith spheres transformed the lives of countless human beings. His spirit will shine through the people that he touched and the generations yet to come. May he be with all…
— Dr. Craig Considine (@CraigCons) October 24, 2024
Prof. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt, also said on Facebook that Gülen “has passed away to the mercy of Allah.”
Referring to the cleric as “a man of dialogue and tolerance,” Gomaa noted that Gülen was known for his noble journey in serving Islam and promoting principles of tolerance and coexistence with others.
Meanwhile, in Turkey authorities are investigating people who express condolences for the late cleric on social media or on TV. Kazım Güleçyüz, the editor-in-chief of Turkey’s Yeni Asya newspaper, was arrested on Wednesday, while Aysın Komitgan, editor-in-chief of the Bursa’da Bugün news website, was briefly detained and fired from her job due to the accusations of disseminating terrorist propaganda for conveying condolences for Gülen.
Over the last decade Gülen and his movement, known as Hizmet (Service) or more commonly the Gülen movement, which in the past had been praised by the Turkish government for their activities in education and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, have faced various accusations from the government, including masterminding corruption investigations in 2013 and a coup attempt in July 2016.
The Turkish government labeled Gülen and his movement as “terrorists” in May 2016.
Gülen and his followers have strongly denied any involvement in the coup or any terrorist activities but have been the subject of a harsh crackdown for a decade, which intensified in the aftermath of the abortive putsch.