Officials halt sport activity in mosques

ANKARA - Cihan News Agency

Religious Affairs Directorate’s notice came after a badminton net was put up inside a mosque in Muğla’s Milas. DHA Photo

The Religious Affairs Directorate has asked the mufti offices across the country not to allow any sports activities inside mosques after children started playing badminton in a mosque in a Muğla province in line with new protocols.

The directorate’s notice, signed by its head, Mehmet Görmez, said some rare Quran courses included some sports activities inside mosques, which does not comply with Islam’s fundamental principles and respectful atmosphere of mosques. It called on mufti offices to arrange such sports activities outside mosques, if possible at sports halls or centers.

The notice also advised avoiding any matter that could be used for political or polemic material or sensationalized in the media.

The notice came after a badminton net was put up inside the Milas Mosque and children attending summertime Quran courses played badminton inside the mosque.

Tennis classes are offered in Antalya mosques to accompany summertime Quran courses, following a protocol signed between the Religious Affairs Directorate and the Sports Ministry – the same protocol that allowed badminton classes to be given in Milas.