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Gulen's Formidable Network in Turkey
(Financial Times-UK) Bill Park - An extensive network of people and institutions in Turkey owe allegiance to the charismatic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who since 1998 has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. His followers are believed to be deeply entrenched in the police force and judiciary. The educational, charitable, media and business empire that Gulen has spawned began in the 1960s as a network of religious schools that now encompasses hundreds of schools and universities. Gulen's disciples have established leading media outlets, a business association, hospitals, clinics, hotels, charities and banks. His brand of Islam is moderate. He is opposed to terrorism, and preaches tolerance and interfaith dialogue. He supports democracy, free markets and Turkey's Western alignment. He has openly criticized Ankara's rift with Israel. The writer is a senior lecturer at King's College London.