18.07.2026 10:50
A mosque imam prayed at the opening of a newly opened liquor store in Tekirdağ. The imam, who is at the center of reactions, claims he only later realized the venue was a liquor store, while an administrative investigation has been launched by the mufti's office regarding the incident.
The mosque imam who attended the opening ceremony of a liquor store in Çerkezköy district of Tekirdağ prayed. The moments were captured on mobile phone cameras, and after the footage was shared, many people reacted to the situation.
IMAM'S DEFENSE: I REALIZED THE SITUATION LATER
Following the intense criticism, the imam in question published a statement on his personal Facebook account. Describing how he attended the opening, the imam stated that some members of his congregation took him to the ceremony site saying 'there is an opening.' He expressed that he did not know the shop was a liquor store until he went there and realized the situation later.
SHOP OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE IMAM
The imam, stating that he left the area as soon as he realized the nature of the venue, mentioned that the shop owners reacted to the situation and complained about him on the grounds that they were 'victimized.'
MÜFTÜLÜK TOOK ACTION
After the reactions grew like an avalanche on social media and the incident began to be discussed publicly, the Tekirdağ Provincial Mufti's Office intervened. Mufti officials officially launched an administrative investigation into the mosque imam who prayed at the opening. It was learned that the incident will be examined in all its details within the scope of the investigation.