Religious authority denies claims of intelligence gathering in Europe

The Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB), which assigns imams and religious officials for mosques run by Turkish communities in Europe, lashed out at allegations that its personnel have been gathering intelligence for the Turkish state, particularly on supporters of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). FETÖ, accused of masterminding the foiled coup attempt on July 15, has an international presence and runs a network of schools and companies all across the globe.

Quoting Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has reported that the Netherlands was "worried" about allegations that DİB officials were gathering intelligence on Gülenists in the European country. Based on that story, some Turkish media outlets have also claimed DİB was operating for the National Intelligence Directorate (MİT), the country's main intelligence agency, in Europe.

"There is absolutely no truth to the news stories published in Turkey by certain media organizations. It is unacceptable that after the stories, our religious officials serving abroad were accused of being ‘agents and informants' by European media," DİB said in a written statement. The DİB statement underlined that imams and other religious officials have been serving in Europe for four decades, spreading an authentic Islamic message of knowledge, values and peace. Lashing out at the "ugly slander turned into a smear campaign," DİB officials said the accusation was likely a part of anti-Turkish propaganda conducted by FETÖ following the latter's coup bid. "Our religious officials should be advised and informed about the overseas activities of FETÖ, which exploited religion, violated the right of privacy and attempted to wipe out democracy; and this is a necessity for the peace of the mosque congregations," the statement said.

De Telegraaf has reported that Yusuf Acar, a religious attaché at the Turkish embassy, has compiled a list of Gülenist individuals and companies linked to the terrorist group and reported it to Ankara. A Dutch opposition party has called for The Hague to expel Acar.

"It is ludicrous to claim that our religious officials, sent abroad to help our citizens perform their religious duties, are engaged in any state activity outside the scope of their job description. No employee of the Presidency of Religious Affairs can spy and pry into the private life of any citizen. It is forbidden both in law and in Islam, as per the moral principle of "tajassus," which is absolutely banned by Islam. Nobody should doubt that our Presidency will investigate and evaluate any illegal and immoral incident that may emerge in this and other similar issues," the statement added.