Ali Erbaş asked for forgiveness, and the new president of the Diyanet, Safi Arpaguş, kissed his hand.

19.09.2025 13:40

The handover ceremony held at the Presidency of Religious Affairs featured striking images. Ali Erbaş, whose term has ended and who sought forgiveness during the farewell ceremony, embraced Safi Arpaguş and then dressed him in the robe and turban. While putting on the turban, Arpaguş kissed Erbaş's hand.

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A new era is beginning at the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş has been appointed as the President of Religious Affairs, replacing Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, whose 8-year term has ended.

ERBAŞ HANDED OVER HIS DUTIES TO ARPAGUŞ

Following the decision, a handover ceremony was held today at the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş handed over the duties of the Presidency of Religious Affairs to Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş.

"I EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO OUR PRESIDENT"

In his farewell speech, Erbaş said, "I sincerely thank all my colleagues, my coworkers, the colleagues at every level of our Presidency of Religious Affairs, and the dedicated managers, employees, and members of our Turkey Diyanet Foundation, who have shared the heavy responsibility of this honorable duty that I have taken on. I pray for their well-being and greet each of them with affection. I expect their prayers as well. Inshallah. I would like to express my gratitude once again to our esteemed President, who entrusted me with this blessed duty for two terms."

"THE PRAYERS WE RECEIVED WILL INSHALLAH APPEAR IN OUR BOOK OF DEEDS"

I want to express my great satisfaction in handing over this noble trust to my dear brother, my old friend, whom I graduated from the same faculty with, and with whom I have done very beautiful works for many years, especially during the Istanbul Mufti period, Professor Dr. Safi Arpaguş. We have strived to bring this position, which our 17 predecessors in the Presidency of Religious Affairs have brought to a certain point, to higher levels together with all my colleagues, without being deterred by the criticism of those who criticize, taking the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an example and facing difficulties. Alhamdulillah. The prayers we received will inshallah appear in our book of deeds.

ERBAŞ ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS

I also want to have you as witnesses now. My esteemed teachers, do you witness that during my time at the Presidency of Religious Affairs, we worked day and night with sincerity, honesty, love, and excitement to bring the presidency and the foundation to better points for the sake of Allah? May Allah be pleased with you. On this occasion, I would like to thank my family, my esteemed wife, and my children, who have shared the difficulties with me during this 8-year period, in which we carried the burden of a fiery shirt. May they forgive me. Perhaps we tired them a lot, we saddened them a lot, but this is the fate of this duty. May Allah be pleased with them. I thank you all once again. May Allah be pleased with you," he expressed.

KISSED HIS HAND WHILE PUTTING ON HIS ROBE

After his speech, Ali Erbaş hugged Safi Arpaguş and dressed him in the robe and turban. While putting on the turban, Arpaguş kissed Erbaş's hand.