02.07.2026 21:40
Following the detention of comedian Deniz Göktaş for remarks made during a stand-up show, the Friday sermon sent by the Directorate of Religious Affairs to all mosques across Turkey drew attention. The sermon stated, "Occasionally, our sacred values are ridiculed under the guise of humor, gradually distancing our children from our values. Innocent minds face the risk of being lost in the vortex of superstitions, deviant trends, addiction, and peer bullying."
The Directorate General of Religious Services of the Presidency of Religious Affairs published the Friday sermon under the title "Summer Quran Courses." The sermon reminded that children have completed an academic year and entered the summer period, stating that "providing a good education for children is important for society and the future."
"OUR SACRED VALUES ARE SOMETIMES RIDICULED UNDER THE GUISE OF HUMOR"
The "humor" detail in the sermon drew attention. While the sermon noted that sacred values are sometimes ridiculed under the guise of humor, it brought to mind comedian Deniz Göktaş, who was detained after a stand-up performance.
The sermon included the following statements: "The consumer culture brought by the modern age, the unconscious use of digital platforms, and the occasional mockery of our sacred values under the guise of humor are gradually distancing our children from our values. Pure minds face the risk of being lost in the vortex of superstitions, deviant movements, addiction, and peer bullying."