Diyanet reappoints controversial mufti: Ali Erbaş's signature is also on the document

The Presidency of Religious Affairs has reappointed İshak Yıldırım, who was arrested and subsequently released shortly after on charges of sexual harassment against a 12-year-old girl. Yıldırım will now serve as a preacher.

SENT MESSAGES TO A STUDENT

During his tenure as the Beylikova District Mufti in Eskişehir, Yıldırım, who taught religious courses at an Imam Hatip middle school, faced charges of "sexual harassment against a child" due to messages he sent to a student. The student described the incident with the following words:

• "I am a 7th-grade student at an Imam Hatip middle school. İshak Yıldırım is the mufti official who taught our Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge class last year and worked as a paid teacher at our school. Because I was suspicious of him constantly messaging me, I wrote, 'Teacher, you have been messaging me for a while, do you want to say something?' He replied, 'Yes, I like you...'"

WAS ARRESTED

Following the incident's coverage in the press, Yıldırım was arrested by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. However, during the hearing held at the Eskişehir 6th High Criminal Court on March 21, Yıldırım denied the accusations, stating, "I did not write any of the alleged messages; these messages are entirely between my wife, Bedia Yıldırım, and the victim." The court ordered Yıldırım's release, and he was freed after 69 days.

According to a report by İsmail Arı from Birgün, the Presidency of Religious Affairs decided to remove Yıldırım from his position as mufti and appoint him as a preacher in another province.