[2018-03-30] Two Turkish Imams Fired for Allegedly Investing in Bitcoin

[limek]

Two Turkish imams have been fired for possessing bitcoin investments, according to local media reports. Turkey’s religious authorities determined that bitcoin is “not compatible with Islam” in November 2017.

Two Imams Fired for Owning Bitcoin

It has been reported that two religious officials in Zonguldak, Turkey, have been removed from office by Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs.

Mecit K, who held a position at a mosque in Zonguldak’s city center, and Satilimis B, who worked in a surrounding village, were removed following an investigation by the Presidency of Religious Affairs into allegations that both men were investing in bitcoin. Both men have appealed the determinations.

According to a rough translation, Mecit C has pled only to have made investments into “blockchain,” stating “I do not have a close relationship with Bitcoin, I have not invested a penny, I do not have a connection […] I have an investment in ‘Blockchain’, but I have never invested in Bitcoin, it is a legitimate investment.” Mecit also indicated that this was not the first investigation of its kind into his investments, adding “In 2016, an investigation was launched on the grounds that necessary jurisdictions had been opened and then the case was closed, and an investigation was launched again in 2017. Justice will make its decision.”

By contrast, Satilimis pled total innocence, claiming not to “even know what bitcoin is.” Satilimis’ statements appear to claim that his wife’s jewelry business had recently been the victim of some sort of scam. Satilimis stated that his “wife went to this place by selling the jewelry items, under the influence of the father-in-law and getting the rental income from this company but this company went down without getting any rental income. I am also the victim here. they gave me the air of directing my friends to this company, but my friends who entered this company without being under the influence of anyone in the investigation declare them. I was dismissed from such a calumny. It is a pity that the Religious Council has come to this point.”

Read more: https://news.bitcoin.com/two-turkish-imams-fired-allegedly-investing-bitcoin/

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[jjacob]

This is what happens when you mix religion and day-to-day life. People with an open outlook tend to be frowned open. it seems sad that these imams have to resort to chicanery and try to hide/justify their investments. I wonder how Turkey has dreams to join the EU, if they take such regressive actions against technology.

[RamonBTC]

What? Bitcoin is not compatible with Islam? I don’t think he has logically correct minded individual who make such policy. Religion has nothing to do with investment and this only prove that the higher officials in any religion organization have a dictatorial attitude in nature.

I’m not against the religion, but I’m bothered that they have acted like this. This isn’t normal anymore, it’s insane.

[Taki]

Islam is the most young religion on the Earth, but it is not young enough to be spreaded on crypto currencies and everything about that
This story began in 2017 and here is results. I do not want to judge, but such tend simply can come to crypto ban in all Muslim countries.

[FollowSynergy]

These religious authorities are accusing imams, but they even do not know what is the difference between bitcoin and blockchain. To be honest, i did not know that islamic religion allows to make any investment and engaged in jewelry business. Maybe they do business to gain profit for the purposes of community, to help poor people and widows.

[Kemarit]

As far as I know cryptocurrency is forbidden under Islamic Law. Here is a good discussion about it:

(https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2538405.0) - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2538405.0

For Non-Muslim, Yes, its really doesn't make any sense to consider bitcoin/blockchain/crypto as gateway for "illicit activity", as we all know that fiat has been utilized by criminals as well. I will just put some references so regarding banking and finance (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking_and_finance) and (https://islamqa.info/en/140078). Its for you to decide.

[audaciousbeing]

Two Turkish imams have been fired for possessing bitcoin investments, according to local media reports. Turkey’s religious authorities determined that bitcoin is “not compatible with Islam” in November 2017.

Two Imams Fired for Owning Bitcoin

It has been reported that two religious officials in Zonguldak, Turkey, have been removed from office by Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs.

Mecit K, who held a position at a mosque in Zonguldak’s city center, and Satilimis B, who worked in a surrounding village, were removed following an investigation by the Presidency of Religious Affairs into allegations that both men were investing in bitcoin. Both men have appealed the determinations.

According to a rough translation, Mecit C has pled only to have made investments into “blockchain,” stating “I do not have a close relationship with Bitcoin, I have not invested a penny, I do not have a connection […] I have an investment in ‘Blockchain’, but I have never invested in Bitcoin, it is a legitimate investment.” Mecit also indicated that this was not the first investigation of its kind into his investments, adding “In 2016, an investigation was launched on the grounds that necessary jurisdictions had been opened and then the case was closed, and an investigation was launched again in 2017. Justice will make its decision.”

By contrast, Satilimis pled total innocence, claiming not to “even know what bitcoin is.” Satilimis’ statements appear to claim that his wife’s jewelry business had recently been the victim of some sort of scam. Satilimis stated that his “wife went to this place by selling the jewelry items, under the influence of the father-in-law and getting the rental income from this company but this company went down without getting any rental income. I am also the victim here. they gave me the air of directing my friends to this company, but my friends who entered this company without being under the influence of anyone in the investigation declare them. I was dismissed from such a calumny. It is a pity that the Religious Council has come to this point.”

Read more: https://news.bitcoin.com/two-turkish-imams-fired-allegedly-investing-bitcoin/

I just found it hard to believe how people would hide under religious inclinations to decide what their future holds. The believe the Holy Books written centuries ago would have been made to accommodate the happenings of today is something that defies common sense.

What I see as their stand against bitcoin is utterly selective judgement based on recent happening and I wouldn't be surprised if they later change that and still relies in the teachings of the Holy Book. Saudi Arabia a country governed exclusively through religious teachings and ordinations stops women from driving for centuries but now allows it. Do we say the Holy Book has change or a new chapter has been added to accommodate recent events of course no.

As far as I know cryptocurrency is forbidden under Islamic Law. Here is a good discussion about it:

(https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2538405.0) - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2538405.0

For Non-Muslim, Yes, its really doesn't make any sense to consider bitcoin/blockchain/crypto as gateway for "illicit activity", as we all know that fiat has been utilized by criminals as well. I will just put some references so regarding banking and finance (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking_and_finance) and (https://islamqa.info/en/140078). Its for you to decide.

Its forbidden for now but the same people who interpreted it to mean forbidden when time changes would again interpret it to flourish under certain conditions and you would still agree with them.

[sindikat]

This is what happens when you mix religion and day-to-day life. People with an open outlook tend to be frowned open. it seems sad that these imams have to resort to chicanery and try to hide/justify their investments. I wonder how Turkey has dreams to join the EU, if they take such regressive actions against technology.

Turkey has long dreamed of joining the EU. I think the law in Europe that has refused Turkey. The EU is an Association of non-Muslim countries. I can be condemned, but I think Turkey's mentality is not in line with European values. The fact that OP wrote this is just a small example of this. The mass of such examples.

[darkangel11]

What? Bitcoin is not compatible with Islam? I don’t think he has logically correct minded individual who make such policy.

Don't you really see it? If Muhammad was alive he'd never invest in unreal things. Some coins in the Internet? This is gambling, not investing.
That's probably how some religious overseer sees it.

Religion has nothing to do with investment and this only prove that the higher officials in any religion organization have a dictatorial attitude in nature.
I’m not against the religion, but I’m bothered that they have acted like this. This isn’t normal anymore, it’s insane.

They are all the same. The more religious the country the more scared of novelty and controlling it is.
Progress? What Progress? All religions are there to stop free thinking and Islam is doing its best to keep people mentally in the middle ages.

[Pirunpoika]

I'm very interested, what would those nations do if bitcoin will be globally spread and involved in everyday life? How will they buy stuff with such strict  rekigious restrictins?

[RamonBTC]

What? Bitcoin is not compatible with Islam? I don’t think he has logically correct minded individual who make such policy.

Don't you really see it? If Muhammad was alive he'd never invest in unreal things. Some coins in the Internet? This is gambling, not investing.
That's probably how some religious overseer sees it.

Your talking sarcasticly I think, but this is just my two Satoshi.
A Muhammad is alive argument doesn’t really make sense at all. All gods die and only be called god when dead. Logically. Gambling or not that is subjective in my opinion. Only the higher ups sees that as a religious thingy, I’m not.

Religion has nothing to do with investment and this only prove that the higher officials in any religion organization have a dictatorial attitude in nature.
I’m not against the religion, but I’m bothered that they have acted like this. This isn’t normal anymore, it’s insane.

They are all the same. The more religious the country the more scared of novelty and controlling it is.
Progress? What Progress? All religions are there to stop free thinking and Islam is doing its best to keep people mentally in the middle ages.

I know that, my country belongs to a religious state with hypocrites clergy. If I have a choice I would rather be living in a island isolated away from this cults.

[pavka]

Most likely it's not even in religion. This is the continuation of Erdogan's policy in all sectors. Obviously, the authorities of Turkey are negative about the spread of the crypto currency.

[Helen17]

At least they are alive!
If serious, I think that all muslim countries will be in a good relationship with bitcoin when it will be everywhere and there will be no chance to ignore it

[kevoh]

Meanwhile, somewhere in United Arab Emirate licences are being issued to some firms to trade cryptocurrencies and there is also a DubaiCoin (DBIX) cryptocurrency. I guess "not compatible with Islam" means different things in these two muslim countries!

[RodeoX]

This likely has far more to do with politics than religion. Bitcoin seems to me to be an extremely good currency for Islamic banking. Something that was noticed by Muslims early on. But Turkey has become a repressive dictatorship and everybody is scared and suspicious of each other.