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Many Turks outraged by state religious authority's bloated budget

Turkey's 2019 budget includes a sharp increase for its Religious Affairs Directorate, drawing criticism of what some see as a vast overreach in influence.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Imam Ali Erbas pray to officially open the newly built DITIB central mosque in Cologne, western Germany, on September 29, 2018. - The inauguration will be the closing event of the three-day state visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aimed at repairing frayed ties with Berlin after two years of tensions. (Photo by PATRIK STOLLARZ / AFP)        (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Are you planning a trip to Turkey in the near future? You're in luck! You will not only find a touristic adventure but also an education in Islam!

On Nov. 2, Cumhuriyet published a comprehensive report on the Diyanet's upcoming services for 2019. They include a “mosque guide” to help local and foreign tourists understand “Islamic history, culture, architecture, art and the religion itself correctly.” The Diyanet also has plans to publish pamphlets about the Prophet, the Quran and Islam for tourists.

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