New Head of Religious Affairs pleases MHP

Yıldıray Çiçek, press advisor to MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and lead columnist for the Türkgün newspaper, commented on the new President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, and his administration, saying, "I noticed that he began his tenure with a measured, common-sense, and unifying attitude regarding Atatürk, and his effort to maintain this line is noteworthy." 

In his column today, Çiçek drew attention to the Atatürk commemoration message shared by the Presidency of Religious Affairs on November 10 and stated that the institution must not allow itself to be used "against those who try to portray Atatürk as an 'enemy of religion'." 

Here are the highlights from MHP member Çiçek's column today:

"The fact that the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which has been dragged into the center of debates and subjected to wear and tear by being made a party to polarization on every national day, holiday, and issue related to Atatürk, has displayed a common-sense stance this time is both important and commendable.

The pose given by the President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, in front of the historic photograph hanging in his office—showing Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk being welcomed with prayers in Uşak on February 18, 1923, and praying—has been an important indicator of this measured and meaningful beginning.

(...)

It is necessary for the President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, to maintain the line established by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and for the Presidency of Religious Affairs not to be worn down by debates conducted over Atatürk.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Presidency of Religious Affairs with Law No. 429, adopted on March 3, 1924, and assigned this institution the duty of 'conducting affairs related to the beliefs and worship of the Islamic religion, enlightening society on religious matters, and managing places of worship.' Therefore, attempting to portray the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which Atatürk established with these criteria, as an institution hostile to Atatürk should be considered both an act of disloyalty and a great disrespect. 

(...)

Against those who try to portray Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who had the Presidency of Religious Affairs established to correctly show and teach the bright face of Islam to the Turkish nation, as an 'enemy of religion'—and especially against those who exhibit all kinds of ugliness forbidden by Islam while doing so—the Presidency of Religious Affairs must never provide ammunition, just as it should not have in the past.

(...)

For this reason, loyalty, respect, and upholding his legacy are the most fundamental duties of the Turkish nation toward its own ancestor. The Presidency of Religious Affairs, founded by Atatürk, must continue to explain the true, contemporary, and bright face of Islam to society with this awareness. Mr. Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş's start in office was measured. I hope this line is maintained." 

News Source: 12punto