The movement has attracted supporters and critics in Turkey, Central Asia, and other parts of the world. It is active in education with private schools and universities in over 180 countries as well as many American charter schools operated by followers.[5][6] The movement denies that the charter schools have a direct affiliation.[7] It has initiated forums for interfaith dialogue. It has substantial investments in media, finance, and for-profit health clinics.[8][9] Despite its teachings that are considered conservative even in Turkey, some have praised the movement as a pacifist, modern-oriented version of Islam, and as an alternative to more extreme schools of Islam such as Salafism.[10] But it has also been accused of having "global, apocalyptic ambition", a "cultish hierarchy"[11] and of being a secretive Islamic sect.[12][13]