Photo: VOA / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Fethullah Gulen is the most consequential and controversial figure in this batch by a wide margin. A Turkish preacher and scholar who built a global movement spanning millions of followers and thousands of schools, he is impossible to discuss neutrally given his central role in Turkey's political fractures. I am careful here, because his legacy splits sharply depending on who you ask, from inspirational educator to accused conspirator. What I can say plainly is the scale: a network across more than 150 countries is extraordinary reach for one man. He died in 2024, but the arguments over what he built are nowhere near settled.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Fethullah Gülen
- Name (Japanese)
- フェトフッラー・ギュレン
- Reading
- ふぇとふっらー・ぎゅれん
- Born
- April 27, 1941 – October 20, 2024
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Snake
- Origin
- Pasinler district, Erzurum Province, Turkey
- Occupation
- social activist / writer / preacher / intellectual / opinion journalist
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Essentials of the Islamic Faith | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Fethullah Gülen born?
April 27, 1941 – October 20, 2024.
Where is Fethullah Gülen from?
Fethullah Gülen is from Pasinler district, Erzurum Province, Turkey.
What does Fethullah Gülen do?
Fethullah Gülen works as social activist, writer, preacher, intellectual, opinion journalist.
What is Fethullah Gülen known for?
Notable works include The Essentials of the Islamic Faith.
Writer — see all → · More people from Turkey →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.