Turkey’s state-run religious authority, the Diyanet, will now have the final say over which interpretations of the Quran are permitted in the country—and which are not. A new law published in the official gazette grants the institution sweeping censorship powers: Quran translations and religious texts that do not align with the state-sanctioned interpretation of Islam may be banned, confiscated, and even destroyed.
What makes the legislation particularly controversial is its scope. It applies not only to printed materials, but also to digital content—including online publications, podcasts, videos, and audiobooks. Legal appeals against such bans will have no suspensive effect. The law justifies these measures as a means of “defending the fundamental characteristics of Islam.”
Critics view the law as a major infringement on religious freedom and a decisive step toward a state-imposed monopoly over Islamic belief. “This is the end of theological pluralism in Turkey,” warned prominent theologian Mustafa Öztürk, known for his historically contextualized Quranic interpretations. “The Diyanet is no longer promoting spiritual understanding—it’s enforcing political control over Islam.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously attempted to expand the Diyanet’s authority via presidential decree, but Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that move unconstitutional. Now, the same measures have been adopted as part of a broader legislative package that significantly extends the Diyanet’s influence in public life.
Under the new law, the Diyanet is authorized to provide religious counseling and services in schools, student dormitories, hospitals, prisons, youth centers, and emergency shelters. The agency will also target groups such as migrants, drug addicts, and disaster victims for religious “guidance.”
These developments are sparking strong opposition in Turkey’s secular circles, where many see them as an effort to blur—and ultimately erase—the boundary between state and religion. For years, Erdoğan has pursued the vision of raising a “pious generation.” Yet, the hoped-for religious revival has failed to materialize.
A recent study by the respected Konda Research Institute suggests the trend is moving in the opposite direction: more Turks are distancing themselves from organized religion. In 2008, 55 percent of respondents described themselves as religious; today, that figure has dropped to 46 percent. The share of self-identified atheists has quadrupled, from 2 percent to 8 percent.
For critics, the data underscores the failure of state-imposed religiosity. “Instead of fostering faith, the state is generating distrust,” says sociologist Taner Yıldız. The Diyanet, he adds, has come to represent not religious authority but political steering—and is losing legitimacy in the eyes of society.
By enacting this law, the Turkish government has enshrined a monopoly on Islamic interpretation—effectively shutting the door on freedom of belief, theological debate, and diversity of thought.
