Draft:Ali Erbaş
| Ali Erbaş | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Ali Erbaş |
| Other Names | Professor Ali Erbaş |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth Place | {{{birth_place}}} |
| Brith Date | {{{birth_date}}} |
| Death Place | {{{death_place}}} |
| Death Date | {{{death_date}}} |
| Religion | Islam |
Ali Erbaş is the President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey.
Education
He completed his primary education at Yeşilyurt Village Primary School. In 1984, he graduated from the Sakarya Imam Hatip School. In 1987, Erbaş defended his thesis titled Repetition in the Quran and obtained his master's degree in the Exegesis department of the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University. Furthermore, in 1993, he successfully obtained his PhD degree by defending a thesis titled Belief in Angels in Divine Religions in the History of Religions department. After completing his master's and PhD at Marmara University, Erbaş began teaching History of Religions as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Theology, Sakarya University. He achieved the rank of associate professor in 1998 and the rank of professor in 2004[1].
From 2006 to 2011, he was a member of the Sakarya University executive board, and in 2011, he was appointed as the Head of Educational Services Department of the Presidency of Religious Affairs. He was also elected as the President of Yalova University from June 2023. Between 1988 and 1990, he participated in specialized courses held for master's and PhD students at the Istanbul Haseki Training Center. In 1993, he was appointed as a lecturer affiliated with the Faculty of Theology, Sakarya University, History of Religions department. In 1994, he conducted research studies on the history of religions and theology for two months at the Centre Georges Pompidou Library and Sorbonne University, and during the 1996–1997 academic year, he conducted his research and studies as a visiting professor at the University of Human Sciences of Strasbourg.
Notes
Activities
At the beginning of the 1997–1998 academic year, he returned to Turkey and in November 1998, he became an associate professor, and in January 2004, he reached the rank of professor. Between 1993 and 2006, he served as the head of the Department of History of Religions and simultaneously as the head of the Department of Philosophy and Islamic theology. Professor Ali Erbaş served as the Vice President of the Faculty of Theology at Sakarya University for five years between 1997 and 2002, and between 2006 and 2011, he was appointed President of the same university for two terms. On 8 July 2017, he was appointed as the President of Yalova University.
Activities at the Diyanet
Erbaş served as a religious officer in various mosques affiliated with the Mufti's Office of Istanbul Diyanet between 1982 and 1993, and in 2011, he was appointed to the General Directorate of Educational Services of Diyanet. On 17 September 2017, following the retirement of Mehmet Görmez, he was appointed to the presidency of the Diyanet. He has published numerous articles domestically and internationally and has presented several papers at international and domestic seminars and conferences. He speaks Arabic and French fluently.
Tribute to Qur'an Memorizers in Tokat, Turkey
After reciting several verses from the Qur'an at the beginning of the ceremony, Ali Erbaş began his speech and, referring to this Noble Prophetic Hadith: "خَيرُكُم من تعلَّمَ القرآن وعلَّمَهُ"; the best among you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it. He stated: You have also learned the Qur'an here and will teach it to others.
He noted: In Turkish mosques, Qur'an memorization and recitation courses are available for any citizen willing to learn them from the age of 4 to 80 or 90.
He emphasized, noting that there is currently an optional Qur'an course at the middle and high school levels: This is an opportunity for our children and students to learn the Qur'an at the best possible age[1].
Controversial First Friday Prayer Speech
Ali Erbaş's speech at the first Friday prayer ceremony in the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, which was interpreted as a negative prayer against Atatürk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, sparked new controversy in the country's political, cultural, and media spheres, to the extent that even the military reacted, albeit implicitly and indirectly, indicating the displeasure of the country's military personnel. He indirectly addressed Atatürk and said: Sultan Mehmed II (the Conqueror) gifted the Hagia Sophia Mosque to Turkey, on the condition that it remains a mosque until the Day of Judgment, and cursed be whoever violates this condition.
This single word "cursed" was enough to place a wave of opposition and support at the top of Turkish media; from old leftists to new secularists and even nationalists, some of whom are considered current allies of the Erdoğan government, all entered this new arena[2].
Professor Ali Erbaş, President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, stated in a press conference regarding measures taken to combat the Coronavirus: The temporary suspension of congregational and Friday prayers in mosques in Turkey is necessary.
He further stated: "Mosques will remain open to worshippers for individual prayers. All those who had gone to Saudi Arabia for Umrah have returned to our country"[3].
Political Activities
Visit to Iran
He traveled to Iran in 2018. During his visit to Tehran, he met with Abuzar Ebrahimi Turkman, President of the Organization for Culture and Islamic Relations, Seyyed Ali Qazi Askar, Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran for Hajj and Ziyarat affairs, Mohsen Araki, President of the World Assembly for Approximation of Islamic Sects in Iran, and Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, its former Secretary-General.
Stating that Islamophobia that has emerged in the world harms Muslims, he expressed: I believe we must combat Islamophobia from enemies and those who do not know this religion. Regarding this, we can share documents and records and publish them in the media and cyberspace. He also considered the high activity of Missionaries as one of the challenges facing the Islamic world and said: From the 1950s to now, the number of Christians has increased fivefold compared to Muslims, and the reason is the activity of Christian missionaries. Their activity in Muslim countries, especially Central Asian countries and the Caucasus region, is significant[4].
Notes
Selected Views and Opinions
Dispersion of Islamic Communities, a Key Factor in the Continuation of the Occupation of Palestine
In response to the annexation plan of the West Bank by the Zionist regime, he emphasized that the occupiers of Jerusalem have dared to occupy because they see Islamic communities as dispersed and weak.
The 'Anatolia' news agency, quoting a statement by the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs, reported that Erbaş announced in the "Solidarity Meeting with Jerusalem", held online: 'Let everyone know that our struggle will continue until the complete liberation of Jerusalem...'. He further added: 'Those who have occupied Palestine and Jerusalem and dragged the world into war and turmoil do not value any principles such as law, justice, conscience, democracy, and human rights. The only solution to this situation is the unity of Muslims.'[1].
Synergistic Cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran
He emphasized further cooperation between the religious and cultural institutions of the two countries and added: 'As Muslims, we may have differences in some cases, but we must use them as an advantage and opportunity and stand against the enemies of Islam.'
Professor Erbaş also considered the issue of Jerusalem as one of the important issues in the Islamic world and said: 'The issue of Jerusalem must always remain alive. After the action of the United States in changing its embassy to Jerusalem, we have more activities regarding raising awareness about the issue of Jerusalem. Palestine is the most important issue for Muslims. The two countries must make double efforts to introduce Jerusalem to the world. We hold many meetings on this subject.' Erbaş, during a visit to the Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs, emphasized the development of cooperation in the field of educational, economic, and health services.
Regarding the reasons for cooperation between the two countries in the field of Hajj, he said: 'Turkey and Iran send the largest number of pilgrims to Hajj after Indonesia. We have much experience. We share experiences to perform Hajj better and with higher quality.'
Stating that Hajj is the congress of all Muslims of the world, he continued: 'We must share experiences so that Hajj becomes a place for peace and unity.'
Ali Erbaş, President of the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs, in a meeting with Mohsen Araki, President of the World Assembly for Approximation of Islamic Schools of Thought of Iran and Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri, its former Secretary-General, at the Azadi Hotel in Tehran, considered terrorism, Islamophobia, poverty, war, and ignorance among the problems of the Islamic world and Muslims.
Erbaş further emphasized: 'The two countries can do many things to resolve the problems of the Islamic world. What is incumbent upon us is to strive to eliminate these obstacles with patience and strong will.'
Emphasizing the necessity of the responsibility of the scholars of the two friendly and brotherly countries in resolving the problems of the Islamic world, he said: 'Zionist and Imperialist powers are upset and concerned about the expansion of friendly relations between Turkey and Iran to achieve their goals in the region.'
Ali Erbaş added: 'These powers seek to highlight divisive issues between Shia and Sunnis; therefore, as scholars of the two countries, we must make every effort to prevent these conspiracies and the fueling of differences.'
The President of the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs concluded by emphasizing and stating the importance of the role of scholars in confronting bloodshed in Islamic countries: 'We, as scholars, are responsible for every drop of blood spilled in Islamic lands, including Syria. We are also responsible for the fact that the land of Palestine is still under occupation. We must strive harder to solve these problems.'
Meeting with the President of the University of Islamic Denominations
According to Qom News, Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Abolhassan Navab, President of the University of Religions and Denominations, during a trip to the country of Republic of Turkey, met and conversed with Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey.
Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, at the beginning of this meeting, while welcoming and expressing happiness about this visit, said: 'I have had useful meetings with friends from Iran such as Ayatollah Araki, Ayatollah Qomi, Ayatollah Qazi-Askar, and Dr. Ebrahimi Turkmani so far, and I hope these negotiations will turn into a memorandum of understanding.'
Subsequently, Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Seyyed Abolhassan Navab, President of the University of Religions and Denominations, expressing happiness about this meeting, said: 'I am very interested in Turkey and have taught Ottoman and modern Turkish history in Qom for a long time. I have visited Turkey more than fifty times, and my last visit was last month to the eastern regions of Turkey. My relations with Turkey are very active, and we have an institution called the Islamic School of Art, where good connections between Iran and Turkey are also established.'
The President of the University of Religions and Denominations continued by conveying the greetings of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Qomi, the Leader's Representative in International Affairs, to Dr. Ali Erbaş, and said: 'Previously, it was decided that a committee from both sides at high levels would be formed for deep cooperation, and we hope this committee will start working soon.'[2].
Condemnation of the raid by Israeli engineers on Al-Aqsa Mosque
Ali Erbaş, the President of the Diyanet, stated regarding the raid by Israeli engineers on the Al-Aqsa Mosque that, in essence, they are carrying out these actions to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They intend to implement the treacherous plan in question through excavation activities. I strongly condemn the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the treacherous plans.
According to the statement by the Turkish Diyanet, Erbaş attended the online meeting of the Union of Religious Scholars of Palestine with representatives from 70 countries as a reaction to the raid by a team consisting of Israeli engineers on the Al-Aqsa Mosque with the support of the country's police.
During his speech at the meeting, noting that they want to sever the connection of Al-Aqsa Mosque with its past, he stated, "In essence, they are carrying out these actions to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They intend to implement the treacherous plan in question through excavation activities. I strongly condemn the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the treacherous plans."[3].
Threat of legal action against Quran burning
The President of the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs announced regarding the burning of the Holy Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm that, "We will take action by referring to courts under the leadership of our trustees and advisory centers in 120 countries."[4].
Genocide and major injustices by Israel
I ask God that all Muslims unite their forces to prevent occupying Zionists from slaughtering children and innocent people of Palestine in Gaza, and that we all strive together to establish an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel has committed genocide and major injustices in Palestine. It is hoped that God will restore security to the entire world, especially the people of Palestine.
See also