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İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor of İstanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu has announced that the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has employed 50 religious officials from different faith groups at its Department of Cemeteries.
Sharing a brief message on Twitter with a video attached, İmamoğlu has said, "İstanbul Municipality now employs 50 religious officials from different faith groups to deliver equal services to all 16 million Istanbulites. From now on, followers of all faiths and religions living in this age-old city will receive equal services by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality."
The international account of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has also shared a message on Twitter and said, "We are proud to deliver equal services to citizens of all faith groups living in İstanbul."
Koç: All religious faiths have rituals
Speaking to IBB TV, the official channel of the Municipality, Head of the Department of Cemeteries Ayhan Koç said, "All religious faiths have rituals. Carrying out these rituals with their own worship leaders is their right. And giving them their right makes us happy.
"Our aim is to deliver religious services free of charge, including funeral and burial practices, to everyone regardless of their faith. And our preparations for these services are now ready."
Polat: Equality adopted as a core principle
Head of the Department of Cultural Assets of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mahir Polat also stated the following:
"We live in a very special city which houses many different faiths and identities. İstanbul has been home to diverse groups throughout history. Adopting equality as a core principle, the IMM aspires to ensure equal service delivery for everyone despite differences in their backgrounds."
'Great example of how to embrace everyone, warmly'
Speaking to the IBB TV about the issue, Alevi dede Feyzullah Yıldız said, "Our goal is for everyone to practice their faith freely. You go to a cemetery, you go to a mosque, you go to a cemevi. Everybody should do their job. That is why we would like to thank the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This is an important breakthrough."
Catholic Father Remzi Diril also said, "It comforts people when a leader of their religion is there for them after the death of a loved one. Because that is what they believe in. That is their belief. A Christian priest, an Alevi, an imam... These will be the greatest examples of how to embrace everyone, warmly." (EKN/SD)
