Turkish cleric accused of being behind 2016 coup dies

The controversial US-based Turkish cleric, who had been accused by the Turkish government of orchestrating the failed coup attempt in 2016, has passed away. A highly influential figure, he led a widespread Islamic movement both within Turkey and globally, gaining significant followers around the world. In July 2016, Turkey was shaken by a sudden and unexpected military coup attempt that aimed to overthrow the government. Tanks rolled into the major cities; Istanbul and Ankara saw fighter jets zooming across their skies, and the country was engulfed in a state of chaos for several hours. The coup was, however, swiftly quashed by forces loyal to the government, and what followed was a crackdown of unprecedented scale. The Turkish government accused the cleric of being the mastermind behind the coup attempt, alleging that he had utilized his extensive network within the Turkish military, judiciary, and civil service to orchestrate the putsch. Despite these accusations, he consistently denied any involvement, asserting that his movement was committed to peace and democracy. His movement, known as the Hizmet movement, operates on a global scale, promoting a moderate version of Islam. It focuses on education, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. The cleric, through his teachings and numerous schools established worldwide, preached a message of tolerance, dialogue, and understanding among different faiths and cultures. His followers often describe the movement as a peaceful community service organization, far from the political coup plotters the Turkish government portrayed them as. The repercussions of the failed