Authority crisis at the Religious Affairs Foundation in Gaziantep

In the Gaziantep Religious Affairs Foundation, allegations that Provincial Mufti Hüseyin Hazırlar violated the foundation's charter by holding an unauthorized general assembly on September 30, 2025, have caused a major stir in foundation circles.

This meeting, held without the knowledge of the board of trustees, has triggered a legal process. A formal warning was sent via the Gaziantep 5th Notary Public, demanding the cancellation of the decisions taken.

According to the official charter of the foundation, which was established in 1973, the authority to call a general assembly belongs solely to the board of trustees. However, it is alleged that Provincial Mufti Hazırlar used this authority unilaterally to convene the general assembly and replaced the entire board of trustees. This situation has created significant unrest among foundation members.

REACTIONS TO THE ILLEGALITY ARE GROWING

Following this controversial move by Mufti Hazırlar, his appointment as Vice President of Religious Affairs on October 3 further intensified the reactions.

Uğur Kalkan, a former member of the Şahinbey Municipal Council, stated in his remarks on the matter, "He convened the general assembly without authorization and carried out this illegality with a single signature. The board of trustees opposed this situation, and a warning was sent via a notary. These decisions must be canceled, and I invite the authorities to take action."

Kalkan stated that it is incomprehensible for a mufti to make such an intervention, adding, "If a mufti does this, I do not even want to think about what others might do." The board of trustees continues its struggle to have the decisions taken canceled in accordance with legal procedures.

News Source: 12punto