PodcastTurkish district governor launches investigation against mufti who did not welcome him
Diyarbakır's Çınar District Governor launched an investigation against the district mufti (religious affairs official) for not accompanying him on a visit to a village even though he was on duty during friday prayers.
Duvar English
Turkey's Southeastern Diyarbakır province’s Çınar district governor Muhammed Fatih Günlü instructed district’s mufti (religious affairs official) Ferit Bilgin not to attend friday prayers, and welcome and accompany him while he was visiting a village.
He launched investigation against the mufti after he refused to fulfill these instructions.
Attending friday prayers is mandatory for all Muslim men and the religious officials often preach during the prayer.
Vice President of Diyanet-Sen Ömer Evsen confirmed the incident between the district governor and the mufti, according to local online newspaper Amida News. The Diyanet-sen is the labor union founded by civil servants working in the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet).
Evsen said, "The district governor probably does not know what mobbing is or he must not have realized the consequences of his actions while considering what he was doing as his duty."
The union official mentioned that muftis are required to operate in accordance with the directives and instructions issued by the Diyanet and emphasized that their participation in public events should adhere to proper protocol and etiquette.
Evsen also said that the district governor had also complained about the mufti's medical report to higher authorities.
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