Türkiye Passes Controversial Bill Vesting Power to Religious Authority for Quran-Content Control

Türkiye Passes Controversial Bill Vesting Power to Religious Authority for Quran-Content Control
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Türkiye’s Parliament has approved a controversial bill granting the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) broad authority to review, censor, and confiscate Quran translations, Daily Sabah reported.

The new law allows Diyanet to examine Quranic translations, both in print and online, and if found “objectionable” based on vague criteria related to “Islam’s fundamental characteristics,” it can request judicial orders to halt publication and distribution. Previously distributed copies may also be seized and destroyed.

The legislation extends Diyanet’s reach into digital platforms, enabling court-ordered removal or blocking of online content. Although legal appeals are permitted within two weeks, enforcement actions proceed immediately, raising concerns about due process violations.

Legal experts warn the law’s ambiguous language creates risks of arbitrary censorship and undermines constitutional principles of legal certainty. Religious scholars fear the move centralizes religious authority, suppressing diverse Islamic interpretations and fostering a state-sanctioned monopoly on theology.

This shift aligns Türkiye more closely with restrictive religious controls seen in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, marking a departure from its historically pluralistic approach. Critics argue the law threatens religious freedom, independent scholarship, and Türkiye’s role as a regional hub for moderate Islamic thought.