19.09.2025 09:40
Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, who was appointed to the Presidency of Religious Affairs with the signature of President Erdoğan, is known for praying for Atatürk and his comrades during a religious gathering held in Dolmabahçe in 2023, alongside the mosque congregation.
According to the decision signed by President Erdoğan published in the Official Gazette; Istanbul Provincial Mufti Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş has been appointed as the new President of Religious Affairs, replacing Ali Erbaş, whose term has ended. Arpaguş will serve as the 19th president of the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
HE HAD PRAYED FOR ATATÜRK Arpaguş is known for attending the mevlit program held at Dolmabahçe Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque on November 10, 2023, marking the 85th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's death. He prayed for Atatürk and his comrades along with the congregation of the mosque.
ARPAGUŞ'S CURRICULUM VITAE Born in 1967 in the Gümüşhacıköy district of Amasya, Arpaguş graduated from Gümüşhacıköy Imam Hatip High School in 1985 and from Marmara University Faculty of Theology in 1990. He began his academic career as a research assistant at the same faculty in 1992, completed his master's degree in 1994, and his doctorate in 2001. After becoming an associate professor in 2008 and a professor in 2014, he served as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University from 2011 to 2021. Appointed as the Mufti of Istanbul by the Presidential Decree dated October 15, 2021, Arpaguş was also a faculty member and the head of the Department of Sufism. His area of expertise includes the concepts and institutions of Islamic Sufi History, and he has works on Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the Masnavi, and Mevlevi order.
Some of Arpaguş's works include: Mevlana and Islam, Spiritual Education in Mevlevilik, Hüseyin Azmi Dede; Treatises, Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi, Conversations; Ahmed Avni Konuk, Commentary on the Masnavi-i Sherif, -Heyet-, I-XIII; İsmail Rüsuhi Ankaravi, Minhacü'l-Fukara; Tahirü'l-Mevlevi, Sheikh Celaleddin Efendi, the postmaster of the Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi.
ALI ERBAŞ AND THE SERMON CONTROVERSIES The Ayasofya sermon and "curse" allegations During the sermon held on July 24, 2020, at the reopening of Ayasofya as a mosque, Ali Erbaş's use of the words "the property of the foundation is inviolable, those who touch it will be burned; those who violate the conditions of the founder will be cursed," referencing the foundation of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was interpreted by some as "cursing Atatürk."
Erbaş stated that these interpretations were taken out of context and that he did not intend to target anyone directly; he indicated that this expression was related to the general principles of foundations. He responded to the criticisms by calling them "deliberate distortions lacking good intentions."
Criticism that "Atatürk's name is not mentioned in sermons" Erbaş was frequently criticized for not mentioning Atatürk's name in some national holiday and commemoration day sermons and messages. However, in August 2024, Erbaş addressed these criticisms by mentioning Atatürk in his messages for Malazgirt and August 30.