content tagged with presidency of religious affairs

Religious group members attempt to disrupt protest against appointment of imams to schools

Religious group members attempt to disrupt protest against appointment of imams to schools

As part of a new project, the Religious Affairs Presidency will appoint imams to schools to raise awareness about "environment and values," which has been criticized for violating the constitutional principle of secularism.

Lawyers' group files complaint against religious authority over 'child marriage' statement

Lawyers' group files complaint against religious authority over 'child marriage' statement

In response to a question about the adoption of child survivors of the earthquakes, Diyanet had said there was no obstacle to a marriage between an adopter and an adoptee.

Religious authority files complaint against journalist Altaylı over 'orphaned children' tweet

Religious authority files complaint against journalist Altaylı over 'orphaned children' tweet

The renowned journalist used strong words against Diyanet after it issued a religious order about adopting children who lost their parents in the Maraş earthquakes.

21 February 2023

Presidency of Religious Affairs to organize 'family gatherings' at mosques on Friday nights

Presidency of Religious Affairs to organize 'family gatherings' at mosques on Friday nights

The new project intends to make children gain an awareness of "praying at a mosque and together with the community."

31 January 2022

Court cancels demolished beer factory’s allocation to Presidency of Religious Affairs

Court cancels demolished beer factory’s allocation to Presidency of Religious Affairs

The İstanbul 12th Administrative Court has cancelled the allocation of the warehouses of the Bomonti Beer Factory, which were demolished for the construction of “a small mosque, dorm, exhibition hall and car park” by the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

22 December 2021

‘Economic crisis, poverty push people to religious cults’ courses, dorms in Turkey’

HDP’S OYA ERSOY

‘Economic crisis, poverty push people to religious cults’ courses, dorms in Turkey’

HDP İstanbul MP Ersoy has submitted a Parliamentary question to Vice President Fuat Oktay and asked him about the sexual abuse of seven children at a boarding Quran course in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum.

15 December 2021

Budget of Turkey's Religious Affairs Presidency to exceed 16 billion lira

2022 BUDGET

Budget of Turkey's Religious Affairs Presidency to exceed 16 billion lira

The agency's budget will increase by over 24 percent from this year.

19 October 2021

Ankara Bar Association put on trial for criticizing President of Religious Affairs

Ankara Bar Association put on trial for criticizing President of Religious Affairs

The Chair and Executive Board Members of the Ankara Bar Association are facing up to 2 years in prison over their press statement on President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş, who targeted LGBTI+s and HIV positive people.

28 September 2021

Ali Erbaş appointed as President of Religious Affairs again

Ali Erbaş appointed as President of Religious Affairs again

Ali Erbaş, the head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs since 2017, has been appointed to the position again by the Presidential decision of Erdoğan.

17 September 2021

İzmir Bar under investigation for criticizing religious affairs head's LGBTI+phobic remarks

İzmir Bar under investigation for criticizing religious affairs head's LGBTI+phobic remarks

"You will not be able to silence the voice of the İzmir Bar Association with investigations, trials and penalties," the bar association has said.

Turkey's state broadcaster to establish religion channel for children

Turkey's state broadcaster to establish religion channel for children

The Presidency of Religious Affairs will also be involved in the project to "shape children's character."

Belgium to deport homophobic imam appointed by Turkey's religious authority

Belgium to deport homophobic imam appointed by Turkey's religious authority

The imam of a mosque affiliated with Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs will be deported from Belgium over his homophobic remarks.

28 January 2021

Turkey’s media authority fines broadcasters Halk TV and TELE 1

Turkey’s media authority fines broadcasters Halk TV and TELE 1

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has fined Halk TV over the remarks of politician Fikri Sağlar about veiled judges and TELE 1 channel over the remarks of a program host accusing the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

13 January 2021

Court cancels ‘Grand Mosque’ project in İstanbul’s Kadıköy

Court cancels ‘Grand Mosque’ project in İstanbul’s Kadıköy

The İstanbul 3rd Administrative Court has cancelled the “Grand Mosque” project to be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization upon the request of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Kadıköy district in the Anatolian side of İstanbul.

30 December 2020

HDP criticizes budget of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs

HDP criticizes budget of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs

HDP İstanbul MP Hüda Kaya has noted that the budget allocated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs is higher than that of 13 ministries, raising concerns that the people of other faiths as well as atheists have been obliged to pay taxes for this.

16 December 2020

President Erdoğan: Macron's statement is a blatant provocation

President Erdoğan: Macron's statement is a blatant provocation

President and ruling AKP Chair Erdoğan has responded to the remarks of President of France Emmanuel Macron, who has recently said, “Islam is a religion that is in crisis all over the world today.”

An interest, exchange and tax income haven: Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs

COURT OF ACCOUNTS REPORT

An interest, exchange and tax income haven: Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs

According to the Court of Accounts, the Presidency of Religious Affairs spent over 10 billion TRY (~1 billion 300 million USD) in 2019 while it had a net income of 404 million 517 thousand TRY. Over 8 billion TRY was spent for personnel expenses.

6 October 2020 Hikmet Adal

Presidency of Religious Affairs appoints 922 ‘spiritual counsellors’ to state dorms

Presidency of Religious Affairs appoints 922 ‘spiritual counsellors’ to state dorms

The Presidency of Religious Affairs has appointed 922 spiritual counsellors to the student dormitories affiliated with the Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK). The counsellors have started working.

9 September 2020

First pandemic hospital of Turkey handed over to Presidency of Religious Affairs

First pandemic hospital of Turkey handed over to Presidency of Religious Affairs

Established in 1924 in Princes’ Islands in İstanbul, the closed Heybeliada (Halki) Sanatorium and its 200-decare land have been handed over to the Presidency of Religious Affairs to be used as an “Islamic Education Center.”

7 September 2020

Chora Museum in İstanbul opened to worship as mosque

Chora Museum in İstanbul opened to worship as mosque

Dating back to the Byzantine period when it was built as a monastery, the Chora (Kariye) Museum in İstanbul has been opened to worship as a mosque by a Presidential decree. It was previously handed over to the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

Ministry of Defense statement on armed forces’ social media post

Ministry of Defense statement on armed forces’ social media post

Making a statement about the picture of Atatürk’s Tomb shared on the Turkish Armed Forces’ social media account, the Ministry of Defense has said that the posts to be shared are decided a month ago and they are not related with recent debates.

Criminal complaint against President of Religious Affairs

Criminal complaint against President of Religious Affairs

The criminal complaint requests that President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş shall stand trial for violating the Constitution and the Law on Crimes Committed against Atatürk over his remarks during Friday sermon at Hagia Sophia on July 24.

Presidency of Religious Affairs is Not Legitimate, Says HDP MP Kaya

Presidency of Religious Affairs is Not Legitimate, Says HDP MP Kaya

HDP MP Hüda Kaya has slammed the Presidency of Religious Affairs’ statement against the LGBTI+: “If the Presidency of Religious Affairs will do its job and speak in the name of religion, then, it needs to speak about theft and child molestation.”

‘No Need to Investigate’ Religious Affairs President’s Remarks, Says Prosecutor’s Office

‘No Need to Investigate’ Religious Affairs President’s Remarks, Says Prosecutor’s Office

Examining the complaint of the Ankara Bar against President of Religious Affairs Erbaş over his remarks about LGBTI+s and HIV positive people, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has concluded that there is no reason to launch an investigation.

International Rights Organizations: End Targeted Attacks Against LGBTI+ in Turkey

International Rights Organizations: End Targeted Attacks Against LGBTI+ in Turkey

11 international rights organizations have made a joint statement about the Friday sermon of the Presidency of Religious Affairs that targeted LGBTI+ community: “We call on Turkey to respect, guarantee, protect and fulfil fundamental rights of LGBTI+.”

From HRW to Turkey: End Stigmatization of LGBTs, Investigation of Bars

From HRW to Turkey: End Stigmatization of LGBTs, Investigation of Bars

HRW has released a statement regarding the investigations launched against Ankara and Diyarbakır Bars: “Turkey’s government should not tolerate statements by officials that encourage hate crimes and target LGBT people and those living with HIV.”

‘Presidency of Religious Affairs’ Targeting of the LGBTI+, HIV+ is Unacceptable’

STATEMENT BY 16 RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

‘Presidency of Religious Affairs’ Targeting of the LGBTI+, HIV+ is Unacceptable’

16 rights organizations have made a statement on President of Religious Affairs' targeting remarks about LGBTI+s: “The Presidency clearly conducted hate speech, targeting the individuals and groups associated. We are worried about its social impacts.”

Investigation Against Diyarbakır Bar Association for ‘Degrading Religious Values’

Investigation Against Diyarbakır Bar Association for ‘Degrading Religious Values’

Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation against Diyarbakır Bar Association over its statement on President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş’s targeting remarks about the LGBTI+.

Presidency of Religious Affairs Files Criminal Complaint Against Ankara Bar Association

Presidency of Religious Affairs Files Criminal Complaint Against Ankara Bar Association

The Presidency of Religious Affairs has filed a criminal complaint against Ankara Bar Association, which previously filed a complaint against President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş over his targeting remarks about LGBTI+s and HIV positive people.

Spiritual Counsellors Recommended to be ‘Sensitive to Sexual Orientation, Identity’

Spiritual Counsellors Recommended to be ‘Sensitive to Sexual Orientation, Identity’

“Being sensitive to sexual orientations and sexual identities” has been listed among the National Occupational Standards for Spiritual Counsellors issued by the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

13 September 2018

Inspectors Establish Quran Course Burned not Inspected

Inspectors Establish Quran Course Burned not Inspected

The Quran course where six children burned to death had certificate for only morning education and wasn’t inspected for “security reason”.

7 December 2015