02.06.2025 11:20
The former Çatalca Mufti, Ahmet Mehmetalioğlu, was appointed as a preacher in Kocaeli following an investigation initiated after his unfortunate remarks regarding the death of artist Volkan Konak and his targeting of the CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. However, in a new post, Mehmetalioğlu announced that his appointment to Kocaeli had been canceled and that he would serve as the provincial preacher of Istanbul.
The late artist Volkan Konak's death was met with backlash after former Çatalca Mufti Ahmet Mehmetalioğlu used the phrase "died on stage" on social media. Mufti Ahmet Mehmetalioğlu later targeted the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel, who criticized him.
HE HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO KOCAELİ
The Presidency of Religious Affairs announced that it had launched an investigation against former Çatalca Mufti Ahmet Mehmetalioğlu and that he had been appointed as a preacher in Kocaeli. Sharing the appointment news on social media, Mehmetalioğlu stated, "If we have entered a war, we will also pay the price, thank God. If my Lord has allowed this appointment, it means that greater blessings will come. God is great, there is no problem."
HE MADE A 'SLAP' REFERENCE TO ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
As the backlash grew, Mehmetalioğlu made a post on social media targeting Özgür Özel, referencing the slap attack on Özel by saying, "Hey Özgür Özel. It's easy to throw from behind the protection shield. Without taking your protection army with you (though they are useless, you still get slapped), come on, I'm in Fatih. Let's see how you tear my mouth apart. You are even incapable of tearing a receipt in a pharmacy. Cardboard president. You haven't been slapped yet. I will slap you, just wait."
"THE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN CANCELED"
In his new post, Mehmetalioğlu again referred to Özgür Özel while announcing that the Kocaeli appointment had been canceled. Mehmetalioğlu stated that he would serve as the Istanbul Provincial preacher and that the new decision would be made on July 3.
"THE RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MADE A JOKE ON ÖZEL"
Starting his post with "The Religious Affairs made a joke on Özel. He won't be able to go to Kocaeli," Mehmetalioğlu included the following statements:
"Because, as a result of your intense prayers and support, the Kocaeli appointment has been canceled. I will continue as the Istanbul Provincial preacher. In other words, all the mosques of Istanbul are within my area of responsibility. Of course, until the decision of the administrative court. More precisely, until the decision of my Lord, who is the owner of all positions. This decision could be a membership in the High Board of Religious Affairs on July 3, it could be a general directorate, or it could be a foreign consultancy. In short, if my Lord says 'be,' it will be. Our Lord is so great and beautiful that whatever He does, He does it in the best way."