Amendments were made to the Duties and Working Regulation by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı). Under these changes, the Directorate General of Religious Services can plan and carry out certain services to be provided during emergencies, disasters and extraordinary situations in cooperation with relevant institutions, organizations and non-governmental organizations.
The revisions to Diyanet’s duties and operations are intended to provide more comprehensive services, especially for tasks to be carried out during disasters, emergencies and extraordinary situations. The Regulation on Amendments to the Duties and Working Regulation of the Presidency of Religious Affairs entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette. The new provisions introduced under this regulation draw attention.
CHANGES MADE TO SOME DIYANET DUTIES
The Regulation on Amendments to the Duties and Working Regulation of the Presidency of Religious Affairs was published in the Official Gazette. Under the published regulation, religious, spiritual counseling and guidance services to be provided in extraordinary conditions, disasters and emergencies can be planned and implemented in cooperation with relevant institutions, organizations and civil society groups.
The regulation introduced some changes to the duties of the Directorate General of Religious Services and adjusted the procedures governing guidance services (irshad) in mosques and small prayer rooms (mescits). To ensure these services are carried out more effectively and efficiently, religious programs and scholarly meetings may be organized outside mosques and mescits.
CHANGE TO THE “KUTLU DOĞUM” TERM
The published regulation also changed the terminology previously used as “Kutlu Doğum.” Where the earlier regulation used the term “Kutlu Doğum,” the phrase has now been replaced with “Mevlid-i Nebi.”
CHANGES TO RELIGIOUS SERVICES DUTIES
Key changes to the duties of the Directorate General of Religious Services include the following highlights:
- Preaching and guidance teams may be sent to locations deemed appropriate by the Presidency.
- Presidency-appointed preachers will have the authority to organize preaching and guidance programs and to prepare Friday sermon content (hutbe).
- The Directorate General will follow procedures related to those who embrace Islam and will keep records of conversion documents (ihtida certificates).
- Information and guidance services will be provided on religious matters for families, women, youth and other segments of society.
- Joint work will be carried out with relevant institutions and organizations to prevent negative social threats such as terrorism, violence and addiction that undermine public peace.
These amendments aim to strengthen cooperation with civil society and state institutions, expand the scope of religious guidance beyond traditional worship spaces, and improve the responsiveness of religious services during emergencies and social crises. The changes emphasize coordination, documentation and targeted outreach to vulnerable or at-risk groups while seeking to enhance the effectiveness of spiritual support offered by the Presidency of Religious Affairs.