Professor Yavuz Köktaş sparks controversy with comments on Turkey

Prof. Dr. Yavuz Köktaş, a faculty member at the Theology Department of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, has sparked controversy following social media comments regarding the religious identity of Turkey.

Köktaş stated that after observing the streets of Rize, his belief that the country is not an Islamic nation but rather a ‘gavur ülkesi’ (infidel country) has been reinforced, adding that Turkey is similar to America. He noted that the presence of minarets and the call to prayer does not change this perception.

Following public backlash, Köktaş issued a clarification, stating that his comments were purely personal opinions and should not be attributed to his university. He explained that his use of the term was intended to describe a perceived departure from religious values and a trend toward ‘nudity’ or secularization that he believes is present throughout the entire country, rather than being specific to Rize.