Turkish Muslim body issues fatwa against tattoos
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkish Muslim body issues fatwa against tattoos, 9 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be145019.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 09, 2015
Turkey's top religious body has issued a fatwa urging Muslims with tattoos to remove them or "repent to God" if they can't.
The Hurriyet Daily News reported the news on January 8.
In its edict, Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate, known as Diyanet in Turkish, said that all forms of body art are banned by the Prophet Muhammad, including tattoos and removal of hair from the face or eyebrows.
Tattoos are fashionable in officially secular Turkey, especially among young people in cities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who critics accuse of seeking to impose a creeping Islamization on the country, rebuked a promising young football player last July over his tattoos.
In September, the government banned make-up, tattoos, and piercings for school pupils.
Based on reporting by AFP and hurriyetdailynews.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
