New areas opening for the Diyanet: AKP brings powers cancelled by the Constitutional Court back to Parliament

A new legislative proposal submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by AKP deputies contains new regulations that would effectively invalidate previous cancellation rulings made by the Constitutional Court regarding the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the proposal makes it possible for the General Directorate of Religious Services to appoint spiritual counselors in student dormitories, educational institutions, and youth centers, despite the Constitutional Court's cancellation ruling. Furthermore, the High Board of Religious Affairs will be able to examine Quran translations in line with official requests.

THE DIYANET IS EXPANDING INTO EVERY INSTITUTION

It had previously emerged that the Diyanet, within the scope of its "2025 Year of the Family" initiative, had sent a letter to 17 ministries to take action for Quran courses for the 4-6 age group to provide five hours of instruction per week in public institutions. Following this development, the matter was taken to the judiciary and Parliament. The new legislative proposal aims to provide a legal basis for these steps and render the Constitutional Court's rulings ineffective.

CANCELLED REGULATIONS ARE BACK IN PARLIAMENT

The regulation, titled "Draft Law on Amendments to Certain Laws and Decree-Law No. 660," was submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey yesterday. The proposal aims to reinstate provisions that the Constitutional Court ruled to cancel on December 7, 2023, and which were published in the Official Gazette on June 4, 2024.

NEW GROUND FOR RELIGIOUS GUIDANCE ACTIVITIES

One of the Constitutional Court's grounds for cancellation was that the religious guidance (irshad) activities carried out by the General Directorate of Religious Services in areas such as student dormitories and youth centers could not be legitimized on the grounds of compliance with constitutional amendments. However, the new proposal aims to expand the scope of these activities and re-legalize them.

OLD POWERS RETURN TO THE HIGH BOARD

The High Court had previously cancelled powers granted to the High Board of Religious Affairs, such as "evaluating Quran translations," "examining religious publications," and "determining prayer times and religious days." In the new proposal, these powers are returned to the Board, again in line with official requests.

As a result of the Board's examinations, the printing and distribution of religious publications deemed objectionable can be halted through an application to the judiciary. For content on the internet, a decision for access blocking or content removal can be obtained. These decisions will continue to be implemented until objections are resolved.

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING IS SPREADING TO EVERY FIELD

According to the new legislative proposal, the General Directorate of Religious Services under the Diyanet will be able to provide spiritual counseling and religious services in many areas, including student dormitories, schools, youth camps, prisons, healthcare facilities, and social service institutions. In addition, special services will be carried out for immigrants, the disabled, addicts, and disaster victims.

AUTHORITY TO INTERVENE IN QURAN TRANSLATIONS IS EXPANDED

From now on, the High Board of Religious Affairs will have not only the authority to examine but also the authority to intervene based on the results. The publication of translations found to be "objectionable" as a result of the examination can be blocked by a court order; those already distributed can be collected and destroyed. Similar sanctions can be applied to digital publications.