Turkey's top religious authority head advises names for Social Sciences Commission

Diyanet head Ali Erbaş has said that he gave a list of names, including experts on psychology and sociology of religion, to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca in order for them to be included in the Social Sciences Commission, of which the formation was announced by the minister on April 7 as part of the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic.

Duvar English

Istanbul’s 'Hello Fatwa' hotline flooded with COVID-19 questionsIstanbul’s 'Hello Fatwa' hotline flooded with COVID-19 questions

Ali Erbaş, the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), has said that he gave a list of names to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca in order for them to be included in the Social Sciences Commission.

Erbaş said that the names include experts on psychology and sociology of religion and that he gave the names to the minister in a phone call.

Koca announced the formation of the commission on April 7, saying that it's needed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"The commission will make societal suggestions that would make life easier for us. This is a first in the fight against the outbreak in the world," Koca told reporters in a press briefing.

Turkey reported its first coronavirus case on March 11 and its first death on March 18. As of April 7, the number of cases reached 34,109 and the death toll stands at 725.