World Cup crisis in a mosque in Sakarya: Mufti's office cancels AKP deputy's program

In the Hendek district of Sakarya, a program organized by an association chaired by AKP Deputy Ali İnci, which planned to screen the national team's World Cup match on a giant screen to be set up inside a mosque, was canceled by the District Mufti's Office.

The incident, which caused a wide stir on social media, took place in the Hendek district. AKP Sakarya Deputy Ali İnci, who is also the president of the Hendek Central Rasimpaşa Mosque Construction and Maintenance Association, planned an unusual event to encourage young people to come to the mosque.

According to the invitation, the national football team's World Cup match against Australia was to be followed live on giant screens to be set up inside the mosque after the morning prayer on June 14.

SWIFT BLOCK FROM THE MUFTI'S OFFICE: "WE HAVE NO CONNECTION, IT HAS BEEN CANCELED"

Following this invitation, which sparked public debate, the Hendek District Mufti's Office took action and announced that the program had been canceled. In an official statement published under the signature of District Mufti Osman Sağlam, it was emphasized in clear terms that the Mufti's office had no connection to this organization.

The statement from the Mufti's office included the following:

"The Hendek District Mufti's Office has no connection to or involvement in the event planned under the name of 'youth meetings' at the Rasimpaşa Mosque, affiliated with the Sakarya Province Hendek District Mufti's Office, which aimed to encourage young people to come to the mosque; the event included a morning prayer meeting with youth, breakfast after the prayer, and subsequently watching the World Cup matches starting on June 14 on giant screens located inside the mosque.

The aforementioned event was intended to be organized by Sakarya Deputy and President of the Hendek Central Rasimpaşa Mosque Construction and Maintenance Association, Mr. Ali İNCİ, and has been canceled through the consultations and initiatives of our Mufti's office. I submit this for your information."

PLANNED AS A "YOUTH MEETING"

According to the canceled program, the goal was to bring together the mosque congregation and the youth in the district, provide a group breakfast after the morning prayer, and experience the excitement of the national match together in the atmosphere of the mosque.

It was learned that following suggestions from Ankara and the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) that it is inappropriate to use religious venues for non-worship purposes (especially for sports competitions), the Mufti's office intervened and, as a result of consultations with the deputy and the association management, did not allow the event to proceed. The posters and invitations prepared for the program were withdrawn following the cancellation decision.