Diyanet-Sen President Ali Yıldız opposed the recitation of Mawlid for Atatürk on November 10: “The religious officials and our Union could not understand why such a program, which has not been implemented before, was needed.”

Diyanet Sen Chairman Ali Yıldız reacted harshly to the decision of Kocaeli Provincial Mufti’s Office to have Mawlid recited in all mosques on November 10. In his post on his social media account, Yıldız said, “We would like to remind you once again that mosques are neither places to test secularism and Kemalism, nor are religious officials the servants of secularist fanatics.” he said.

Kocaeli Provincial Mufti’s Office announced that on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of the death of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mevlid-i Şerif will be recited for Atatürk, martyrs and deceased veterans in all mosques across Kocaeli on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 12.30. Kocaeli Provincial Mufti Mehmet Sönmezoğlu sent a letter to the district muftis’ offices in line with the decision of the Kocaeli Governorship to hold a program in all mosques within the scope of November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day. Diyanet Sen Chairman Ali Yıldız said, “The decision is significant” on his social media account regarding this issue.

“It has been decided by Kocaeli Governorship to have Mawlid-i Sharif recited in our mosques within the scope of November 10 Commemoration Programs. In the relevant article, religious officials are requested to organize Mawlid programs in all mosques in the city center and in the central mosques of 12 districts. It is not understood by religious officials and our Union why such a program, which has not been implemented until now, is needed. It is significant that the Governorship took such a decision without the knowledge of the Presidency of Religious Affairs.

First of all, the following issues should be clarified: 1- Why was the Presidency bypassed on an issue within the authority of the Presidency of Religious Affairs? 2- This decision was made by people who lie down in mosques every November 10th and every public holiday and ask, “Why wasn’t there a sermon about Ataturk?” Has the effort to appease some secularist fanatics who went on a secular attack by saying this been effective? 3- Do civil authorities have the authority to instruct clergy according to their own ideological approaches?

Why and by whom this decision was taken, and what wisdom it is based on, should be disclosed to the public by the decision-making authority. We clearly state that our Supreme Religion is Islam, our religious officials and mosques; It is not an area of ​​political exploitation for bureaucrats, politicians, and certain ideological circles to trample on at their whim. “Let’s see how secular you are?”, which we remember with shame today in ancient Türkiye. This approach, which reminds us of similar practices, is worrying and It does not suit today’s Turkey at all.

We would like to remind you once again that; Mosques are not places to test secularism and Kemalism. nor are religious officials the servants of secularist fanatics. Clergy are obliged to carry out their duties in accordance with the relevant legislation and the rules of the Islamic religion. The spirit of Islam, its principles, provisions, limits and laws must be taken into account in every program that is wanted to be held in mosques and in every activity that religious officials are asked to do. It is not possible for us to accept the logic of “I did it and that’s it” and that everyone instructs religious officials arbitrarily and contrary to the legislation."

https://www.ozgurkocaeli.com.tr/haber/26757118/ataturk-icin-mevlid-i-serif-kararina-sert-tepki

He was born in 1973 in Çorum Central Şendere Village. He completed his primary education in his village and memorization at Çorum Central Hıdırlık Quran Course. He graduated from Çorum Imam-Hatip High School in 1995. In 2009, he graduated from the Theology Associate Degree and then the Open Education Faculty, Department of Public Administration. He started working as Imam-Hatip in Sungurlu District of Çorum in 1997. Yıldız, who started his union life here, is also one of the founders of Sungurlu Diyanet-Sen. Yıldız, who also served as Memur-Sen Sungurlu District Representative between 2005 and 2010, was appointed to Çorum Center in 2010. He was elected as the branch president at the 3rd Ordinary General Assembly of Diyanet-Sen Çorum Branch held in 2012 and continued in this position, renewing his confidence in the branch congresses held until 2020. In the Memur-Sen Çorum Provincial Representative elections held on June 27, 2019, Memur-Sen Provincial Representative was elected. In addition to his union work; Between 1995-2010 He worked at the National Youth Foundation and Anatolian Youth Association. He was elected as Diyanet-Sen Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairs at the Diyanet-Sen Extraordinary General Assembly held on July 14, 2020. He was elected as the Chairman of Diyanet-Sen at the board of directors meeting held on January 13, 2022. Yıldız, who renewed his confidence at the Diyanet-Sen 7th Ordinary General Assembly held on January 18, 2023, currently serves as the Chairman. He is married and the father of four children.

http://2017.diyanet-sen.org.tr/subeler-iletisim