Turkey's state religious body undermines anti-coronavirus efforts - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Pinar Tremblay

Pinar Tremblay

Apr 6, 2020

Head of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs or Diyanet Ali Erbas leads a prayer at Haci Bayram Mosque, Ankara, Turkey, March 2, 2020. — Altan Gocher/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Head's of Turkeys Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas holds a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on March 15, 2019.

Turkey’s religious agency grows even richer, more powerful

Mustafa Sonmez

In Istanbul, reporting on economics

Head's of Turkeys Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbas holds a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on March 15, 2019.

Turkey’s powerful top cleric called to tone down or resign

Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir, reporting on culture

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters during a rally for the upcoming referendum in Istanbul, Turkey, April 8, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX34QH8

How Erdogan uses Turkey's mosques to push 'yes' vote

Pinar Tremblay

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)

Many Turks outraged by state religious authority's bloated budget

Pinar Tremblay