Turkish judge blocks websites of self-proclaimed prophet over complaint by top Islamic body

ISTANBUL

A Turkish magistrate has blocked access to five websites owned by a self-proclaimed prophet over a complaint filed by the country’s top Islamic body, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported Jan. 29.

İskender Evrenesoğlu had declared himself a prophet and “mahdi.”

According to popular Muslim belief, mahdi is a spiritual and temporal leader who will rule before the end of the world and restore religion and justice.

Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) had demanded the authorities to block access to Evrenesoğlu’s websites, which were publishing commentaries on Quranic and Islamic matters.

According to Anadolu Agency’s report, the 3rd Criminal Magistrate of Peace in Ankara issued an order to block access to five websites, citing Diyanet’s conclusion that they were “harmful, considering the basic qualities of Islam.”

A presidential decree recently equipped the Diyanet with the authority to review and destroy unlicensed commentaries of Quran if they were deemed against Islam.

Evrenesoğlu had claimed that he received a revelation as a prophet of Allah, which he compiled as a book named “the Lights of Prophecy.”

It is the second “mahdi” that drew the ire of Turkish authorities in recent months. Televangelist Adnan Oktar and dozens of his followers were arrested in July.

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