14.04.2026 17:10
In the cemetery in Şarkışla, Sivas, it is noteworthy that the qibla directions of civilian graves differ; checks with a compass and drone revealed that the graves in the martyrdom section are correctly aligned, while the others are at different angles; experts attributed the situation to a lack of professional excavation.
In the Yıldırım Cemetery in Şarkışla district of Sivas, it is noteworthy that the qibla directions of some graves differ from each other. The qibla directions of the graves in the Garrison Martyrdom within the cemetery and the civilian graves show differences. Prof. Dr. Halis Demir, a faculty member at Sivas Cumhuriyet University (SCÜ) Faculty of Theology, said, "Professional grave diggers cannot be found in these cemeteries. They perhaps align with the previous grave under their own conditions. When digging by imitating each other, sometimes a different angle can emerge."
In the Yıldırım Cemetery in the district center, it is noteworthy that the qibla directions of some graves differ from each other. The qibla directions of the graves in the Garrison Martyrdom within the cemetery and the civilian graves show differences. In checks made with a compass, it was noted that the grave sites in the Garrison Martyrdom are arranged appropriately towards the qibla, while it was observed that the directions of the civilian graves right next to it vary. The graves, whose qibla directions were observed to be particularly different from the martyrdom, were filmed from the air with a drone.
"WE SAW THEY WERE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS"
Zümre Sevim, a resident of the district, said, "We saw that the cemeteries are in different directions from each other. When we noticed this, my friend and I conducted research and flew a drone to confirm it. We also looked with the drone. Contrary to the direction of the graves here, the cemeteries on the other side stand at a more different angle."
"THEY WILL ACT MORE SENSITIVELY"
Prof. Dr. Halis Demir, a faculty member at SCÜ Faculty of Theology, Department of Basic Islamic Sciences, stated that he had discussions with mufti officials regarding the issue, saying, "The issue had also caught my attention. When we spoke with our mufti staff colleagues, they explained the situation as follows, and it seemed reasonable to me. Especially because the graves of our martyrs are made very meticulously, systematically, and scientifically/technologically, great care is taken with them. Their alignment with the qibla is 100 percent accurate. As for the other cemeteries, let's not say for today. When we pay attention to the practices that have been ongoing, professional grave diggers cannot be found in these cemeteries. They perhaps align with the previous grave under their own conditions. When digging by imitating each other, sometimes a different angle can emerge. Even a tolerance was mentioned. They said, 'We tolerate an angle of 45 degrees. If there is a practice beyond this, we pay attention to it.' I do not find it right to have such debates about people who have been buried. Fulfilling the rites related to burial is a debt of loyalty. As long as the chest faces the qibla, there is no problem. Now that technology and science have advanced, I believe that the authorities will act more sensitively on this matter after this news. Our friends who dig graves will pay attention to this without causing confusion in people's minds or raising the question 'Is it suitable for the compass or not?' Graves are dug and prepared beforehand. The relevant units check them, and citizens do not experience such unease."