Fethullah Gülen

Fethullah Gülen is a powerful figure in Turkish politics with a large network of influence including police, attorneys, media organizations, businessmen and educational institutions called by adherents the Hizmet and colloquially as the Cemaat by the Turkish public. He lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania. Previously an ally of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who helped him rise to power (in a manner analogous to Jerry Falwell helping Republicans), Gülen parted ways politically over several disputes including the Israeli attack on the MV Mavi Marmara ("freedom flotilla") in May 2010.