MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Since the late 90s, this former camp in Saylorsburg has been the home of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen; his family sharing he passed away late Sunday at the age of 83 after a long illness.
As a student in my high school years, I was inspired by his ideas, so he was very much influential in shaping my understanding of the world," said Abdulhati Bilici, a Gulen supporter.
Gulen self-exiled to the Poconos and created this gated community to continue his teachings of a progressive form of Islam; however, controversy followed him.
To many, Gulen is remembered as being accused by the Turkish government of arranging a military coup in 2016. He publicly denied any involvement.
"So the governments are persecuting people from all walks of life if they don't obey to official ideology," said Bilici.
Those close to Gulen say he found refuge here in the Poconos, and his teachings go well beyond the bounds of the compound.
"He was appreciated around the world, especially in democratic countries, and very much appreciated in Turkey until there was a conflict of perspectives in 2014 with the current government," said Bilici.
People in the community say in the wake of his death- the community now faces a new challenge of how to continue without him.
"This is a double burden now on the movement and millions of his supporters, but I like to be optimistic," said Bilici.
Officials say a funeral service will be held this Thursday somewhere in Monroe County. They are still working out some of those details.