Controversial figure appointed to Egypt by Diyanet: Diplomatic immunity and high salary for İdris Bozkurt, who claimed 'nepotism is halal'

İdris Bozkurt, a member of the High Board of Religious Affairs, who made headlines last year with his statement on Diyanet TV that “earnings from a job obtained through cheating or nepotism are halal,” has been appointed as the Diyanet Religious Affairs Advisor to Egypt.

DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY AND A 6 THOUSAND DOLLAR SALARY!

According to reports by Sözcü, Bozkurt has been granted diplomatic immunity as part of his new role and has been assigned a monthly salary of 6 thousand dollars. With this appointment, Bozkurt will also be under the protection of diplomatic immunity.

Last year, on the “Let’s Ask Diyanet” program broadcast on Diyanet TV, Bozkurt responded to a viewer's question: “I cheated on some exams while at university. I graduated, and I wonder if it causes any problems or taints the salary I earn when I do my job?” with the following:

“Cheating is an attempt to obtain something we do not deserve; it is a violation of rights, theft, and an unjust gain. However, the income earned by finding a job based on this and subsequently putting in the effort is not considered haram. The act performed is wrong, but the salary we receive by putting in labor in return for the work we do is halal. One must keep the way one enters a job separate from the earnings obtained.”

WHO IS İDRIS BOZKURT?

Born in 1971 in the Zile district of Tokat, İdris Bozkurt completed his memorization of the Quran (hafiz) training at the Yeşil Cami Quran Course in Bayrampaşa, Istanbul, between 1982 and 1989. During this period, he received training in Arabic and various Islamic sciences. He completed his higher education at the Faculty of Usul al-Din at Al-Azhar University in Egypt between 1989 and 1993.

He began his career as an imam-hatip at the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) in 1993. In 2000, he graduated from the Istanbul Haseki Religious High Specialization Training Center. He worked as an instructor at the Trabzon Religious High Specialization Center between 2000 and 2004. He served as an expert at the High Board of Religious Affairs starting in 2004. He was appointed as a member of the High Board of Religious Affairs on October 5, 2020.

Bozkurt, who is married and a father of three, caused intense public debate in 2024 with his remarks on Diyanet TV regarding children with SMA, stating, “Zakat, fitra, and fidya are special forms of worship. The places where they are paid and the method of payment are specific. Zakat, fitra, and fidya cannot be paid for these,” as well as his controversial statement that “earnings from a job obtained through nepotism are halal.”

News Source: 12punto