The trustee of Esenyurt transferred the ownership of 37 mosques to the mufti's office.

In the December meeting of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council, CHP member Erdinç Aktaş, who spoke out of the agenda, addressed the actions of the trustee administration appointed to Esenyurt Municipality.

"YOU ARE TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE BUSINESSES UNDER THE MOSQUE"

Criticizing the transfer of lands owned by Esenyurt Municipality to other institutions, Aktaş also stated that many parcels with mosques in the district have been transferred to the mufti's office. Aktaş said, "The mufti's office sent a letter. They asked us to assign 37 mosque locations. We know that your purpose is not the mosque, but the businesses under the mosque. You are trying to take over there."

"THE MUFTI REQUESTED, THE TRUSTEE GAVE"

It was learned that the request to transfer the ownership of the mosques to the Esenyurt Mufti's office was made one month after the elected Mayor Ahmet Özer was removed from office. On November 28, 2024, the Esenyurt Mufti's office sent a letter to Esenyurt Municipality requesting the transfer of the ownership of 37 mosques to them.

In the letter sent by the Esenyurt Municipality Real Estate and Expropriation Directorate to the Municipal Council, it was stated: "In the letter belonging to the District Mufti's Office, it is requested that all properties belonging to the mosques under the jurisdiction of our District Mufti's Office, which are fully or partially owned by our administration and designated as 'Religious Facility Area' in the implementation zoning plan, be allocated to the Mufti's Office. Regarding the subject of the request, the properties of the mosques owned by Esenyurt Municipality, the mosques in which Esenyurt Municipality has a share, and the mosques located in areas outside of our administration's jurisdiction are all listed in the attached list and are requested to be allocated to the Mufti's Office for a period of 25 years in accordance with Article 75(d) of the Municipal Law No. 5393. I submit this for your approval in accordance with the last paragraph of Article 31 of the Municipal Law No. 5393 and the additional paragraph of Article 45 of the same law."

"THE MUFTI AYKUL'S REQUEST"

In a letter sent to Esenyurt Municipality regarding the transfer of the mosques, signed by Esenyurt Mufti Selami Aykul, it was stated: "Regarding the allocation and transfer of all properties listed in the attached list, which are fully or partially owned by your municipality and designated as religious facility areas in the zoning plans, I respectfully submit this for your information and necessary action."