Turkish PM to muftis: Youth training the most vital measure against ISIL

ANKARA

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Religious scholars who act in line with their consciences and common-sense morals need to present the Islam religion in a way which can face this century’s challenges, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, citing the appropriate training of young people as most important measure against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which he said was posing “the biggest threat” to Islam.

“All of our religious scholars led by our muftis need to protect our youngsters against extreme movements,” Davutoğlu said on Aug. 19, at a meeting of provincial muftis hosted by the Directorate General of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).

The prime minister tasked religious scholars with spreading “a new religious cognition” throughout the entire country.

“That’s why we all need to meet on a common line. All kinds of security measures can be taken and we will do so. However, the strongest measure is the protection of religious knowledge of our youngsters and the ability to explain all information to youngsters,” he said.

Davutoğlu also argued the use of Diyanet’s authority in political debates would indirectly grow support for ISIL.