Decision to remove headscarf following Diyanet's controversial sermon: 'I am not one of you'

The Friday sermon titled "Modesty and Decency," read in mosques by the Presidency of Religious Affairs on August 1, 2025, drew significant backlash, particularly due to its remarks regarding women's styles of dress. The following statements in the sermon drew attention:

''Being present in social spaces, especially in places with institutional characteristics, in inappropriate clothing is a challenge even to the minimum standards of morality. This is not modernity, but primitiveness. Everyone who remains silent while the measures of morality and decency are violated bears a great burden of responsibility. Because protecting the chastity, decency, and morality of our generation is our common responsibility.”

These sentences were criticized for targeting women's clothing choices, interpreting social morality in a one-sided manner, and attempting to limit individual freedoms. Thousands of people expressed their reactions on social media under the hashtag #HutbeDeğilİdeolojikBeyan (Not a Sermon, But an Ideological Statement).

FEMINIST WRITER BERRİN SÖNMEZ: “I AM REMOVING MY HEADSCARF”

One of the most striking reactions to the Diyanet sermon came from feminist writer Berrin Sönmez, who has worn a headscarf for many years and is known for her writings in the field of women's rights. Sönmez shared her decision to remove her headscarf with the public in an article she wrote for the Medyascope platform.

In her article, she included the following statements:

“I am uncovering my head now in anticipation of the possibility that a headscarf mandate might be imposed. This conversational part might be seen by readers or those looking from afar as a turbulent, fluctuating, and indecisive life story. That is perfectly fine; I respect freedom of thought. I do not expect respect or approval from anyone.”

Sönmez also explained the reasoning behind her decision with these words:

“I am saying goodbye to my headscarf simply because I do not want to miss the appropriate time for the necessary reaction. One person may not mean much, but as one person, my stance becomes clear. I reject the path taken by Diyanet and the government, the path of oppression. If you are among the oppressors, I am not one of you.”