Gulen

Gulen, also spelled Gülen, is a Turkish cleric, educator, and author born in 1941. He is the founder of the Hizmet movement (also called the Gülen movement), a transnational civil-society network devoted to education, charitable work, and interfaith dialogue. The movement operates a large network of schools, universities, charities, media outlets, and think tanks in Turkey and abroad.

Life and career: Gülen began as an imam and preacher in eastern Turkey, and over the 1980s and 1990s developed a broad following. Through charitable associations, schools, and media, his supporters promoted secular education alongside religious values and civic engagement. The movement emphasizes service (hizmet) and dialogue among religions and cultures.

Exile and controversy: In 1999, Gülen left Turkey and has resided in the United States since then, living in Pennsylvania. In Turkey and in several other countries, authorities have accused the movement of attempting to infiltrate state institutions and influence politics. After the failed coup attempt in July 2016, Turkish authorities designated the movement as FETO (Fethullah Terrorist Organization) and carried out widespread closures and prosecutions. Gülen has repeatedly denied involvement in the coup.

Legacy: The Hizmet network remains influential in education, media, and philanthropy across multiple continents, though it has been curtailed in Turkey and several other countries. Supporters argue that Gülen and his followers promote education, interfaith tolerance, and civic-mindedness; critics contend that the movement sought political leverage and posed a challenge to secular institutions.