Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has significantly abandoned its long-standing, traditional inward-looking, cautious foreign policy, embracing a more active and assertive approach. Over the past two decades Ankara, has become a proactive regional player, particularly in the Middle East, seeking influence over key developments. For example, Turkey has actively used its military power in Iraq, Syria, Cyprus, Libya, and Somalia by inaugurating military bases abroad, conducting extra-territorial operations against hostile groups, and providing arms and military training to allied governments and non-state actors. Simultaneously, it has leveraged soft power tools, especially across the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East, through governmental and non-governmental organizations by providing humanitarian aid, organizing cultural activities, and repairing historic mosques and other buildings
Within this strategic context, Turkey has actively used its soft power in areas such as cultural heritage, humanitarian diplomacy, media, and education. Drawing on its Ottoman legacy, Ankara has amplified its historical and cultural connections through institutions like the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Yunus Emre Institute, which promotes Turkish language, culture and development abroad. Turkish television series, films, and music have also strengthened Turkey's image on a global scale, while humanitarian efforts led by such organizations as the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority – (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent have reinforced Turkey’s image as a "helping actor" in crisis zones.
However, Ankara's "hearts and minds" strategy isn't limited to cultural and humanitarian aid. The Erdoğan government is strategically using the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) to leverage the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam – a tradition known for its emphasis on jurisprudence, flexibility in interpretation, and wide following across the Balkans, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East -- to increase its sphere of influence both inside and outside of Turkey.
With an annual budget reaching $3.74 billion, the Diyanet has become the embodiment of religious soft power, promoting a Turkey-centric interpretation of Islam through mosque construction, the appointment of imams, and religious publications.
Turkey’s promotion of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam through the Diyanet carries both religious and geopolitical significance. As the most widely practiced school of Islamic jurisprudence, Hanafi tradition provides Turkey with a ready-made cultural and theological bridge to large Muslim populations. By encouraging a shared religious framework, Ankara not only fosters affinity with these communities but also positions itself as a leading authority in defining “authentic” Islamic practice in contrast to rival currents such as Salafism or Shi‘ism. This strategy strengthens Turkey’s claim to spiritual leadership in the Muslim world, enhances its soft power, and aligns with its broader ambition to expand political influence across regions historically connected to the Ottoman Empire.
Today, the Diyanet operates as a powerful strategic tool, reminiscent of the Ottoman-era office of the Sheikh Al-Islam, in advancing the ruling government's ideological, religious, and political objectives at home and abroad. In other words, the Diyanet has transformed from a state institution limited to providing simple mosque administration and preaching services into a diplomatic actor that expands Turkey's cultural influence, particularly across the Islamic world and among Muslims in the diasporas.
The Diyanet's most prominent international role lies in its relationship with religious institutions and Muslim communities abroad. Through mosques, educational centers, and religious service buildings, it promotes Turkish-Islamic culture and spirituality worldwide.. These initiatives not only meet the religious needs of local Muslim communities but also spread Turkey's cultural and spiritual values across a wide geographic area. This sphere of influence -- extending from the Balkans to Central Asia and from Europe to Africa -- form an important part of Turkey's soft power capacity.
Humanitarian aid activities carried out through the Turkey Diyanet Foundation (TDV) further strengthen its soft power. Initiatives such as organizing iftar dinners during Ramadan, performing animal sacrifices during Eid al-Adha, and delivering aid disaster-affected areas foster international goodwill. By combining religious and humanitarian dimensions, these activities strengthen Turkey’s image as an actor committed to both religious and humanitarian values.
In addition, scholarship programs that enable foreign students to pursue religious education in Turkey embody the Diyanet's vision of cultivating future religious leaders. Upon returning to their home countries, these graduates often serve as cultural and spiritual ambassadors, carrying the Diyanet's mission and forging lasting ties between Turkey and their societies. This strategy represents a key factor for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of Diyanet’s international influence.
Nevertheless, despite its active global role, the Diyanet’s primary mission remains domestic. It occupies a central position in Turkey’s political and religious life, exerting decisive influence over social religious practices and regulating the country’s religious sphere.
Established during the Republican era within the framework of the state's principle of secularism to replace the Caliphate and later the Ministry of Sharia and Foundations, the Diyanet has transformed over time. It has evolved from being a mere provider of religious services into a powerful institution that shapes society's religious understanding through sermons, publications, and public guidance activities. Throughout this process, the protection of national and spiritual values, along with an emphasis on social unity, has remained central to its discourse.
In the realm of domestic politics, the Diyanet serves a crucial function in strengthening the spiritual bond between the ruling power and society. Sermons delivered in mosques convey the state’s primary social and moral messages within a religious framework thereby reinforcing the legitimacy of government policies through religious references. Additionally, national religious events, educational seminars, and youth programs organized by the Diyanet contribute not only to strengthening religious awareness but also to consolidating ideological alignment between the state and its citizens.
At the societal level, the Diyanet functions as the main institution defining the boundaries and norms of Turkey’s religious sphere through religious education, regulation of worship practices, and religious counseling services. By centering on the state-sanctioned interpretation of Islam and limiting the visibility of alternative religious interpretations in the public sphere, it frequently becomes the subject of debate concerning religious pluralism. In this context, while the Diyanet plays a stabilizing role as the institutional regulator of religious life, it simultaneously maintains its importance in domestic politics for ensuring that the religious domain remains firmly under state control.
The ongoing war in Gaza illustrates how the Diyanet positioned itself as an increasingly influential force in both domestic politics and foreign policy. On this issue, the Diyanet adopted a strong and resolute stance fully aligned with Turkey’s official policy, framing the Palestinian cause not merely as a political issue but as a sacred responsibility that concerns all Muslims. Diyanet President Ali Erbaş, known for his forceful rhetoric, has described the war in Gaza as “genocide”invoking themes of justice, rights, and human dignity in both Friday sermons and official statements. In doing so, the Diyanet reinforces Turkey’s foreign policy discourse with religious and spiritual authority.
The Diyanet supports this position not only through rhetoric but also by orchestrating international mobilization efforts. By cultivating relationships with religious leaders worldwide, it advocates for a unified stance against Israel, amplifying Turkey’s influence through a global religious network. Humanitarian aid sent to Gaza via the (TDV) serves as a tangible extension of this discourse on the ground, providing spiritual support to the people of Gaza and serving as a concrete manifestation of Turkey’s commitment to the Palestinian cause. Moreover, the collection and distribution of donations for Gazans’ essential needs further bolster Turkey’s image as a global humanitarian leader.
Within Turkey, the Diyanet sustains public attention on the Gaza war by organizing special prayers and events in mosques nationwide. These religious gatherings foster a sense of national and spiritual solidarity, elevating public awareness of the Palestinian cause while simultaneously legitimizing the government’s foreign policy agenda. Consequently, the Gaza conflict has become a strategic platform for the Diyanet to amplify Turkey’s influence abroad through religious diplomacy, while reinforcing domestic unity and support for government domestic policies. This dynamic illustrates how Turkey wields power in international relations not only through military and economic tools but by leveraging its spiritual and cultural assets.
An example of this approach is the sermon disseminated by the Diyanet to all mosques across Turkey on July 25. This sermon illustrates how the Gaza issue is utilized to transcend societal divisions, replacing polarization with a unifying narrative rooted in Islamic identity and collective solidarity. This approach shows that the Diyanet treats the Gaza issue not solely as a religious matter but as a strategic tool for maintaining political and social control.
This sermon contains a narrative that strongly demonizes Israel and appears to prepare Turkish society for potential conflict or war. Using examples from both the Quran and Islamic history, the text equates Israel with groups historically portrayed as recipients of "divine punishment." This frames Israel not only as a political rival, but as an "absolute enemy that stands against the divine order."
A striking example appears at the outset of the sermon, where the phrase | “Today's Ashab al-Ukhdud[i] are the Zionist oppressors,” explicitly linking Israel to cruel, communities described in the Quran. The sermon employs stark language to portray Israel as the embodiment of absolute evil. Phrases such as “crazed criminals... carrying out the most brutal massacre in human history,” contribute to intense demonization. The demonization culminates with in the declaration, “the curse of Allah, the angels, people, and all creatures, living and nonliving, be upon them,” elevating Israel from a political adversary to a metaphysical enemy.
The sermon also contains powerful messages that psychologically prepare the public for. confrontation. The emphasis on the Quranic verse, "Prepare against them whatever you are able of power," acts as a mobilizing call for Muslims to prepare both materially and spiritually for struggle.
Further, calls to "unite, embrace solidarity... and boycott products that feed the oppressor's economy" introduce a domestic and economic dimension to the conflict. By presenting the boycott as a "requirement of faith" the sermon elevates civic and economic action to a religious obligation.
Taken together, these elements construct a narrative that redefines the Gaza issue not only as apolitical matter but as a shared cause of faith, honor, and collective Muslim identity. This rhetoric lends religious and spiritual legitimacy to Turkey’s anti-Israel foreign policy, while subtly preparing the public for potential military or more assertive actions. Through its sermons, the Diyanet transforms the state's Gaza policy into a vehicle for ideological mobilization both at home and abroad.
The Diyanet’s strategy extends beyond the pulpit. It actively participates in public events aimed to reach broader audiences and reinforce its message. A notable example occurred on August 9, during a mass rally in Istanbul organized by President Erdoğan’s son, Bilal Erdoğan, under the slogan “Be a light of hope for Gaza.” The prayer delivered by Ali Erbaş, the Head of the Diyanet, was more than a religious ritual -- it was a political message.
By referring to Hamas fighters as “our mujahideen brothers who are forging jihad for their homeland in Palestine, in Gaza." Erbas effectively legitimized Hamas as a resistance movement in the eyes of the Turkish public.
Moreover, his prayer for Islamic unity to defeat Israel and secure Palestinian victory future entrenched Diyanet’s role in shaping public sentiment.
This blending of religious discourse with political messaging functions as a form of ideological propaganda, deepening anti-Israel sentiment and reinforcing the Diyanet's strategic influence in both foreign and domestic policy arenas.
In today’s politically charged atmosphere, Diyanet's influence looms large. The echoes of the Istanbul rally won August 10 reached Ankara, where protest marches began at the Kocatepe Mosque, and extended to the Turkish parliament. Social media footage captured slogans such as "Erdoğan, don’t be afraid, bomb Israel," revealing the intensity and widespread nature of anti-Israel sentiment within segments of Turkish society. Such imagery illustrates how powerful emotions are swiftly mobilized to foster social unity, frequently serving as a distraction from domestic political challenges.
Under Erdogan, the Diyanet has become a crucial actor in both foreign policy and domestic affairs. Once a modest provider of religious services, it now stands as a key pillar of Turkey’s soft power, blending Ottoman-era religious diplomacy with modern political strategy. Its messaging and activities, particularly regarding Gaza , demonstrate its critical role in legitimizing Turkey’s foreign policy through a spiritual-national lens, while strengthening social cohesion at home.
To conclude, the Diyanet has emerged as a pivotal role in shaping both Turkey’s foreign policy and domestic politics under Erdoğan. No longer merely a provider of religious services, it now functions as a strategic body that seeks to revive the Ottoman-era Sheikh Al-Islam institution with modern political strategies. This transformation has positioned the Diyanet as a key instrument of Turkey's regional and global soft power. Its rhetoric and activities - particularly concerning Gaza - underscore its critical role in providing spiritual-national legitimacy to foreign policy goals while strengthening social cohesion in domestic politics.
In the Diyanet's discourse, the cause of Gaza and Palestine transcends humanitarian or religious concern Instead, it is framed as a central component of Turkey's political stance.
Through sermons and public events, the Diyanet invokes Quranic terms like "Ashab al-Ukhdud," to demonize Israel, creating a deep-seated perception of enmity and psychologically preparing the public for conflict and struggle. Concrete examples include the portrayal of Hamas as "mujahideen brothers" and the Diyanet’s participation in anti-Israel rallies.
Ultimately, the Diyanet's fusion of religious diplomacy and domestic political messaging around Gaza has fostered a powerful sense of shared Islamic identity and national unity. This narrative has proven effective in overshadowing social, socio-economic, and ethnic divisions, galvanizing broad public support for the state's foreign policy goals. In this context, the Diyanet has evolved from a traditional religious authority into a strategic powerhouse of political influence – advancing Turkey's regional policies while fostering social cohesion.
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak is an Adjunct Fellow at the Turan Research Center and a Turkey expert at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies (MDC) at Tel Aviv University.
