Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, the long-time rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has died at the age of 86, according to widespread media reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed the US-based cleric for the 2016 attempted coup against the leader. Meanwhile Gülen denied the accusations.

Turkish-born Gülen was an imam and the head of what was called the Gülen movement, which was not a political party but rather a well-organised community of people.

He is said, by the BBC, to have promoted a tolerant Islam focusing on altruism, modesty, hard work and education.

Gülen was widely regarded as Turkey’s second most powerful man, despite living in exile in the United States state of Pennsylvania.

What is FETO?

The Fethullah Terrorist Organization, also known as FETO, is an illegal entity that has sought to establish a new political, economic and social order by exploiting religion. The group, led by Fethullah Gulen, has been linked to various criminal activities such as blackmail, espionage, and money laundering.

FETO stands out from other terrorist groups due to its covert operations, maintaining secrecy over the years while infiltrating various Turkish institutions, including the judiciary and military.

Türkiye has been the target of various terrorist organizations because of its strategic location at the crossroads of continents, religions and cultures. Unlike other terrorist groups that operate openly, FETO has clandestinely conducted its activities since the 1960s, masquerading behind a facade of legality while pursuing its illegal agenda.

FETO aims to establish a new political, economic, and social order that deviates significantly from Islamic principles by exploiting religion for its own ends. Engaging in a range of criminal activities, including oppression, blackmail, threats, assassinations, conspiracies, espionage and money laundering, FETO has demonstrated a blatant disregard for Türkiye’s sovereignty, democracy and the core values of the republic.

The treacherous coup attempt on July 15, 2016, was a direct assault on Türkiye’s national sovereignty, democratic institutions and the foundational principles of the republic. FETO’s involvement in this heinous act further underscores the grave threat it poses to Türkiye’s stability and security.

As of July 1, 2023, FETO schools have been closed in 48 countries, either taken over and operated directly by the relevant countries or transferred to the Türkiye Maarif Foundation.

In many countries, FETO-affiliated structures have been banned, and their members have been deported. Some international organizations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have adopted decisions recognizing FETO as a terrorist organization. The Pakistan Supreme Court ruled that the activities of FETO-affiliated groups declared as terrorist organizations would violate the Pakistani Constitution. Thus, it banned all activities of the terrorist organization in the country.