Protesters Expected To Gather At Pa. Home Of Turkish Cleric
SAYLORSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Hundreds of people are expected to protest in front of the northeastern Pennsylvania compound of an influential Turkish cleric whom they accuse of secretly promoting a radical Islamist agenda.
Fethullah Gulen promotes interfaith dialogue, free enterprise and science-based education. The movement that bears his name runs schools and intercultural centers in Turkey and many other countries, including the United States.
Critics say Gulen's moderate message hides a secret agenda to replace Turkey's secular government with an Islamic theocracy.
A Turkish couple from Florida organized a protest to be held Saturday in front of Gulen's compound in Saylorsburg. A Facebook page set up to promote the event says nearly 400 have registered to attend.
Gulen has lived in Pennsylvania for more than a decade. An email sent through his website seeking comment Wednesday was not immediately returned.
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