08.06.2026 14:00
In the Hendek district of Sakarya, a program organized by an association chaired by AK Party MP Ali İnci, which involved watching World Cup matches on a giant screen inside a mosque, was cancelled following the intervention of the District Mufti's Office.
An extraordinary event planned at the Rasimpaşa Mosque in the Hendek district of Sakarya was blocked by the mufti's office. The program, prepared under the leadership of AK Party Sakarya Deputy and also Chairman of the Hendek Central Rasimpaşa Mosque Construction and Maintenance Association Ali İnci, brought about controversies.
MORNING PRAYER, BREAKFAST, AND MATCH ON A GIANT SCREEN
According to information obtained; a "youth gathering" was planned on June 14 to encourage young people to come to the mosque. Within the scope of the organization, after the morning prayer, breakfast would be offered to the congregation, and then the Turkish National Football Team's World Cup match against Australia would be watched on a giant screen set up inside the mosque.
STATEMENT FROM THE MUFTI'S OFFICE: CANCELLED
After the invitation to watch the match at the mosque became known, the Hendek District Mufti's Office intervened and took action. Stating that the event had no connection with the mufti's office, Hendek District Mufti Osman Sağlam announced the cancellation of the organization with an official statement.
The statement signed by Mufti Sağlam included the following expressions:
"The Hendek District Mufti's Office has no relation or planning with the event planned under the name of youth gatherings at the Rasimpaşa Mosque affiliated with the Sakarya Province Hendek District Mufti's Office, aimed at encouraging young people to the mosque, which involved a morning prayer gathering with youth, a breakfast offering after the prayer, and subsequently watching the World Cup matches starting on June 14 on giant screens inside the mosque.
The mentioned event was attempted to be organized by Sakarya Deputy and also Chairman of the Hendek Central Rasimpaşa Mosque Construction and Maintenance Association, Mr. Ali İnci, and has been canceled through our mufti's office's consultations and initiatives. Submitted for your information."