Ali Erbaş responds to budget and vehicle controversies: 'It is begrudged to the Diyanet'

President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş has clarified the criticisms regarding the budget increase and official vehicles that have caused public debate in recent times. 

According to information reported by Habertürk columnist Nagehan Alçı, Erbaş defended the increase of the Diyanet budget by 41 percent to 130 billion 119 million, stating, "95 percent of our budget is personnel expenses. We provide services with the remaining 5-6 percent. We have mosques without imams; we do not have an excess of personnel, we have a shortage."

'IT IS WRONG TO COMPARE US WITH MINISTRIES'

Stating that the number of Diyanet personnel is 150 thousand, Erbaş emphasized that the Diyanet is a large structure, saying, "Some ministries have 5 thousand personnel. It is not fair to compare 5 thousand with 150 thousand." He also said that no budget is allocated for mosques and Quran courses, and that even mufti office buildings are built with the support of philanthropists.

'WE WERE STRANDED WITH THE OLD VEHICLE'

Addressing the criticisms regarding official vehicles, Erbaş stated that he used the official vehicle of former President of Religious Affairs Mehmet Görmez until 2024, noting, "We were stranded on the road a few times with the old vehicle. Once, while coming from Konya, a tire blew out, and the driver barely saved us. For this reason, an Audi was purchased. However, they begrudged even this to the President of Religious Affairs," he said.

News Source: 12punto