Diyanet pours millions into calendars: Staggering spending since 2018

Despite the public austerity measures announced by Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, the expenditures made by institutions continue to draw attention.

The money spent on calendars by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), which frequently makes headlines with its luxury spending, is staggering.

The institution, headed by Ali Erbaş since September 16, 2017, has spent exactly 198 million 650 thousand TL on calendars since 2018.

According to a report by Deniz Ayhan from Sözcü; Diyanet will have 3 million 115 thousand calendars printed for 2025 at a cost of 61 million 677 thousand liras.

BUDGET INCREASED BY 40 PERCENT

In 2024, the same number of calendars were printed, for which 44 million 155 thousand liras were paid. While the cost of Diyanet's calendars increased by 40 percent in one year, the total amount paid for calendars since 2018 has reached 198 million 650 thousand TL. The Diyanet Presidency Religious Publications Revolving Fund Enterprise announced on May 7, 2024, that it would have calendars printed. The tender held for the calendars was concluded on May 29, 2024, and a contract worth 61 million 677 thousand TL was signed again with İhlas Gazetecilik Company.

BRISTOL PAPER TO BE USED

3 million of the calendars will be printed as block calendars, and 115 thousand as children's calendars. American Bristol paper, glossy cellophane, embossing, and foil stamping will also be used.

Calendar expenses from 2018 to 2025

¦ 2025: 61 million 677 thousand TL

¦ 2024: 44 million 155 thousand 125 TL

¦ 2023: 38 million 361 thousand TL

¦ 2022: 18 million 091 thousand 800 TL

¦ 2021: 10 million 690 thousand 920 TL

¦ 2020: 9 million 881 thousand 280 TL

¦ 2019: 8 million 561 thousand 500 TL

¦ 2018: 7 million 231 thousand 250 TL