Fahrettin Altun thanks Diyanet for controversial Friday sermon: 'In understanding the requirements of our religion'

The sermon, which was criticized by a large segment of the public, stated:

"Chat and marriage sites that have become widespread on digital platforms and exploit the institution of marriage are distancing young people from marriage and dragging them into adultery. Friendships between men and women that begin with thoughts of companionship and sharing troubles are pulling individuals into a quagmire of adultery."

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun thanked the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) for the controversial Friday sermon in a statement on his social media account.

Altun used the following expressions in his social media post:

One of the most important activities of our Presidency of Religious Affairs, whose duty under our laws is to "carry out tasks related to the beliefs, worship, and moral principles of the Islamic religion, to enlighten society on religious matters, and to manage places of worship," and which impacts our daily lives, is to prepare the Friday sermons read in every corner of our country. 

Friday sermons, which convey the commands of Allah found in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding every aspect of life, have a very important role in raising awareness in our society and in ensuring that the requirements of our religion are understood fully and completely. 

The sermon prepared for the last blessed Friday prayer we observed should primarily be evaluated within this framework. 

The issues mentioned in the Friday sermon, which is mandatory for every Muslim attending Friday prayers to listen to, were conveyed in a very clear and understandable way regarding the indecencies that corrupt our society and that these are forbidden in Islam, and it has also had a significant impact on Muslims. 

I thank our Presidency of Religious Affairs for preparing sermons that raise awareness on such an important issue and in many aspects of life every week, that teach right and wrong from an Islamic perspective, and that always recommend goodness, beauty, helping one another, staying away from violence, and many other positive behaviors, and I wish them continued success in this sublime and important duty they have undertaken.

Yasalarımızda görevi “İslâm dininin inanç, ibadet ve ahlâk esasları ile ilgili işleri yürütmek, din konusunda toplumu aydınlatmak ve ibadet yerlerini yönetmek” olan Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığımızın en önemli ve gündelik hayatımıza etki eden faaliyetlerinden biri, ülkemizin her…

— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) May 3, 2025

News Source: 12punto