Striking book from theologian Cemil Kılıç: He answers the question, 'Is Erdoğan the shadow of God?'

Theologian and author, who was dismissed from his teaching position by the Ministry of National Education, Cemil Kılıç's seventh book, "In the Name of God" meets its readers on Tuesday.

In his new book, Cemil Kılıç examines the history of regimes that appear religious while committing sins in the name of religion, and recounts how historical figures fell victim to murder 'in the name of God.' The book, which also touches upon contemporary history, lists murders committed in the name of religion, ranging from the massacre of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali, known in Islamic history as the Tragedy of Karbala, to the murder of Muslim feminist author Konca Kuriş, who was tortured to death by Hezbollah.

COMPARISONS MADE TO ERDOĞAN

The book also addresses the comparisons made to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by ruling circles that are contrary to Islam, while highlighting the question, 'Is Erdoğan the shadow of God?'

The section under that heading in the book, published by Toplumsal Yayınevi, is as follows:

"So, what is the subject we are referring to? Let us explain...
Erdoğan is quite silent regarding certain descriptions directed at him. However, those are descriptions that a true believer should never remain silent about.
“A leader who carries all the attributes of God!”
“He almost seems like God to us.”
“If another prophet were to come, it would be Erdoğan.”
“Tayyip is a man like God!”
"Whoever upsets Tayyip, upsets God."
"May God take from my child's lifespan and give it to Erdoğan."
"Touching Erdoğan is an act of worship.""

These are the words some pro-government figures have said about Erdoğan. Among them are party officials and members of parliament. In other words, those who say these things are not just ignorant people on the street.

However, Erdoğan has not made any statement regarding these remarks to date. He has not warned, condemned, or rebuked those who made these statements. He did not say, 'What kind of words are these, know your place.'
Well, why didn't he?
Once upon a time, it was said of sultans/caliphs that they were "God's shadow on earth!" And the sultans/caliphs never objected. In fact, they accepted these descriptions. Or, since he does not object, is Erdoğan secretly accepting those words directed at him?

TURKISH WORDS FOUND IN THE QURAN

On the other hand, the heading regarding Turkish words found in the Quran in Cemil Kılıç's new work also draws attention. According to Kılıç's claims, 'gassak, ekvab, tennur, and many other words have Turkish origins...'

The prominent headings from the book are as follows:

- Prophet Muhammad and Islamic Thought: The foundations and transformation of Islam
- Hallaj al-Mansur and the Cry of 'I am God': The death of Hallaj al-Mansur and the influence of Sufism
- The Month of Muharram and Persecutions in Alevism: Alevism and the persecutions experienced throughout history
- Pir Sultan Abdal and Cultural Identity: The death of Pir Sultan Abdal and Alevi identity
- Mustafa Fehmi Kubilay and the Republic: The death of Mustafa Fehmi Kubilay and Republican values
- The Theory of Evolution and the Relationship with Religion: The theory of evolution and religious beliefs
- Farkhunda Malikzada and Theology: The death of theology student Farkhunda Malikzada
- Atatürk and the Stance Against Insults: The rejection of insults directed at Atatürk
- Earthquakes and the Influence of Religious Sects: Earthquakes and the impact of sects
- Tengrism and Traditional Beliefs: Traditional beliefs and Tengrism

WHO IS AUTHOR CEMİL KILIÇ?

He was born in Istanbul in 1975. He is registered to the Gerze district of Sinop and is of the Eymir Turkmen tribe. He completed his primary education in Sinop and Istanbul. After graduating from Küçükköy İmam Hatip High School in Istanbul, he completed his studies in the Department of Kalam and Islamic Philosophy at the Marmara University Faculty of Theology.

In 1998, he began his master's degree in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at the same university's Institute of Middle Eastern and Islamic Countries. In 1999, he was appointed as a teacher of Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge. In 2001, he completed his master's degree with his thesis titled, "The Effects of the Alphabet Reform on Cultural Change During the Transition from the Ummah System to the Nation-State."

He completed his military service between 2001 and 2002. In 2006, he joined the Istanbul organization of the Eğitim-İş Union. Since that year, he has served as an executive on the branch boards of Eğitim-İş. In 2023, he became a member of the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life (ÇYDD). He has produced religious-themed programs for various radio and television institutions, and his programs are still ongoing.

Cemil Kılıç has authored over 10 published books.

In 2019, he was suspended from his position by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). He returned to his post 3 months later, and the lawsuit filed against him resulted in an acquittal. On December 13, 2022, he was dismissed from civil service by the MEB. He continues his work on Islamic sects, Alevism, and the Turkish language.