Halil Konakcı announced as speaker despite ongoing Diyanet investigation

The Söke District Mufti, operating under the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), has announced preacher Halil Konakcı as a speaker for a conference titled “Religious Guides are the Hope of Humanity.” The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at 20:30 as part of Religious Servants Week.

Konakcı’s selection has drawn attention because he is currently the subject of an ongoing administrative investigation initiated by the Directorate of Religious Affairs in February 2025. Diyanet Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Hazırlar previously confirmed that the investigation remains active.

Konakcı has previously faced public criticism and legal complaints regarding controversial statements. These include remarks regarding Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, secularism, and women's rights. Specifically, he has been criticized for claiming that gender equality is “completely a lie” and for making disparaging comments about women's attire in public spaces. He also faced backlash for comments regarding the history of Hatay and for comparing certain political groups to terrorist organizations.