Family, friends and followers of Fethullah Gulen gathered yesterday, to say goodbye to the influential Turkish spiritual leader and Islamic scholar, who died a few days ago in the United States, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Gulen, who inspired a global social movement while facing unproven charges that he masterminded the failed coup attempt against Turkey's president in 2016, died Sunday at a Pennsylvania hospital at the age of 80.
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With a heavy police presence, thousands of people gathered in a small stadium in northern New Jersey for the pilgrimage. The casket, covered in a green shroud with quotations from the Koran written in yellow, was carried into the stadium by his followers who were personally trained by Gulen or studied at schools inspired by his movement. One of Gülen's two brothers and sister attended the pilgrimage. His other brother is in prison in Turkey.
After the pilgrimage, Gülen will be buried in the town of Sellersburg in Pennsylvania, on the grounds of the “Honest” Recreation Center. - a sprawling gated compound in the Pocono Mountains where he lived in self-exile and worked for a quarter of a century. The funeral will be in a close circle.
„This is a time of mourning, reflection and prayer,” the Alliance for Shared Values said in a statement. “Mr Gulen's legacy goes beyond the events of his life. "He stands out as a remarkable religious and intellectual thinker whose influence will be felt for generations," wrote the New York-based group promoting Gülen's activities in the US.
Gülen has long been one of Turkey's most prominent scholars, with millions of followers in his home country and around the world. He had been living in the US since 1999 when he arrived there for treatment.
His philosophy mixes Sufism – a mystical form of Islam, with a staunch advocacy of democracy, education, science and inter-religious dialogue.
His followers have built a global network of charitable foundations, professional associations, businesses and schools in more than 100 countries, including 150 taxpayer-funded charter schools in the United States.
The religious leader was initially an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but eventually became his enemy. He called Erdogan an authoritarian who seeks to amass power and crush dissent. Erdogan has labeled Gulen a terrorist, accusing him of leading the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, when factions in the army used tanks, warplanes and helicopters to try to topple the government. A total of 215 people were killed and about 2,200 injured. Among the victims are 35 alleged conspirators.