Ali Erbaş had said it was 'not permissible': Diyanet establishes new company and enters the 'cryptocurrency' business
The Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has established an IT and R&D-focused company in the technology sector. This new company will develop various applications for internet and mobile platforms, produce software and games, and also operate in the NFT, token, and cryptocurrency sectors. Diyanet President Ali Erbaş, who previously stated that cryptocurrencies were not reliable, had emphasized that efforts in this field should be evaluated carefully.
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Diyanet President Ali Erbaş had responded to a question regarding whether cryptocurrencies were permissible (halal) by saying, "We cannot call it permissible because it is not reliable and is open to exploitation." However, it has emerged that the new company established by the Presidency of Religious Affairs could sell coins and build virtual universes like the Metaverse.
It has been revealed that the Presidency of Religious Affairs established an IT company some time ago. The company, founded on February 14, 2023, is named CMIT Bilişim ve ARGE Anonim Şirketi. The founder of the company is TDV Eğitim Yatırım Anonim Şirketi, which was established by the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation. According to a report in Kısa Dalga, the company's founding capital is 2 million lira.
It was learned that about two months after its establishment, the company also opened a branch at the Ankara OSTİM Technopark. The company's headquarters is located in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Technology Development Zone of the Ankara Social Sciences University.
According to the establishment announcement in the Trade Registry Gazette, the company will carry out the following activities:
- Installation and configuration of cloud computing systems.
- Developing, buying, selling, collaborating on, and conducting domestic and international trade for all kinds of infrastructure, systems, services, products, and software in the field of Blockchain services.
- Carrying out consultancy and training projects in the world of information technologies and web 3.0 blockchain; engaging in software activities for the NFT, token, and coin industries. Carrying out all kinds of work in the fields of developing internet technologies, gaming and animation studies, and avatar characters.
- Partnering with any company operating in the field of technology, conducting joint projects, and engaging in trade.
- All kinds of infrastructure, systems, services, products, software, consultancy, and design related to virtual universes such as the Metaverse... Developing, buying, and selling all kinds of sales, marketing, journalism, and animation services to be carried out through virtual universes...
- Developing digital systems that allow for the simultaneous experience of the virtual world and reality, such as games, entertainment, shows, social networks, and meetings.
- Developing internet and mobile applications for all kinds of platforms. Selling these applications over the internet and mobile networks.
- Producing content such as software, programs, and games in various programming languages and selling them to end consumers or domestically and internationally by making agreements with publishers.
'WE CANNOT CALL IT PERMISSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS OPEN TO EXPLOITATION'
Diyanet President Ali Erbaş had responded to a question regarding whether cryptocurrencies were permissible by saying, "We cannot call it permissible because it is not reliable and is open to exploitation."
Ali Erbaş had made the following statement regarding cryptocurrencies:
"Our High Board of Religious Affairs believes that its use is currently not permissible due to the high possibility of exploiting people. This is how it is answered to those who ask. There are certain conditions, and that process is being followed. As of now, because an environment where people can use cryptocurrency comfortably and safely with each other has not been formed, and because the possibility of people harming others has not yet been eliminated, it cannot be called permissible at this moment."