While the total expenditure of the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) was 6 billion 208 million TL last year, 4 billion 629 million TL of this amount was spent on expenses on personnel. Also included in this was the ‘travel allowance’ of Diyanet for its personnel, which amounted to 62 million TL.

Expenditure of Diyanet on personnel is nearly 5 billion TL

HÜSEYİN ŞİMŞEK

huseyinsimsek@birgun.net

The Public Administration Financial Table presented in the Regularity Audit Report of 2015 of Sayıştay (Supreme Court of Public Accounts) has demonstrated the high extent of the budget of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which exceeded the budgets of several ministries.

According to the findings of Sayıştay, Diyanet had a total expenditure of 6 billion 208 million TL last year; and, of this total, 4 billion 629 million TL was spent on personnel expense.

As indicated in the report, 4 billion 395 million TL was allocated for civil servants; 69 million TL for contracted staff members; and 1 million 750 thousand TL for workers. Diyanet’s spending on ‘temporary staff’ reached 162 million 311 thousand TL.

On the other hand, the current deficit of Turkey for the month of August has been announced as 5 billion TL.

62 million TL for ‘travel allowances’

With nearly 5 billion TL worth of personnel expense, Diyanet also used 62 million 961 thousand TL under the ‘purchase of goods and services’ item as ‘travel allowances.’

The details of its eye-catching expenses are as follows: ‘2 million 515 thousand TL on promotion and representative; 28 million 453 thousand TL on food; 75 million TL on purchase of goods and services; 41 million 845 thousand on purchase of service.’

The revenue comes from citizens’ taxes

In the same report, the revenue of Diyanet is noted as 397 million TL. Of this amount, 375 million of it is received from the taxes paid by citizens. The taxes and other payments that it received a share from are income taxes; stamp taxes; income on services; and, income on fees and other miscellaneous revenues.

Diyanet is creating ‘youth branches’ in mosques

On the other hand, with a budget that exceeds the budgets of many ministries, the Presidency of Religious Affairs has also been establishing ‘youth branches’ in all mosques. In the Administration’s report with regards to FETÖ, it was stated that the ‘Diyanet is ready for creating the ideal youth’. The recommendation in the report read as: ‘Youth branches should be formed in all mosques; and, a sufficient number of staff members should be appointed in provinces and districts under the title of ‘youth counsels.’’

Diyanet has prepared the report based on the decisions taken at its ‘first ever emergency meeting’, which was held on the first week of August with the participation of President Erdoğan, as well. Titled as ‘The movement of abuse of religion: FETÖ/PDY’, Diyanet’s report read as: “The Presidency of Religious Affairs operates in a way that is respectful to individual’s freedoms of religion and belief and it sees the differences in religions as a blessing and abundance. In light of this, in order to prevent movements with a ‘so-called religious purpose’ from abusing and exploiting people’s beliefs and sentiments; to avoid potential clashes between religions and sects; and, to establish societal peace and unity, the legal authority and responsibilities of Diyanet should be broadened. Youth branches should be created in mosques; sufficient number of youth counsellors should be appointed in provinces and districts; and, through these counsellors, the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) should give support for the creation of an ideal youth.”

Source: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/diyanet-in-personel-gideri-aylik-cari-aciga-denk-4-milyar-629-milyon-tl-131226.html