Euromedia24 on Play Store Euromedia24 on App Sore
BNB

$600.44

BTC

$83514

ADA

$0.651669

ETH

$1823.56

SOL

$120.14

7 °

Yerevan

6 °

Moscow

24 °

Dubai

9 °

London

18 °

Beijing

9 °

Brussels

22 °

Rome

9 °

Madrid

BNB

$600.44

BTC

$83514

ADA

$0.651669

ETH

$1823.56

SOL

$120.14

7 °

Yerevan

6 °

Moscow

24 °

Dubai

9 °

London

18 °

Beijing

9 °

Brussels

22 °

Rome

9 °

Madrid

Turkey aims to influence millions abroad by utilizing mosques and government-employed imams

Nordic  Monitor - The Islamist government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan through its religious arm has set a target to reach nearly 12 million people abroad as part of influence operations, using mosques under Turkey’s control in Europe and North America to extend its ideological and political reach.The goal was outlined in the Directorate of Religious Affairs’ (Diyanet) strategic plan for 2024 to 2028, which includes specific target limits, recommended tactics and proposed solutions to address identified shortcomings.According to a copy of the plan obtained by Nordic Monitor, the Diyanet had reached 1.9 million people by the end of the previous strategic term (2020–2024) and aims to expand this figure to 11.9 million by the end of 2028.The primary platform for these outreach activities is mosques, although special venues offering religious courses have also been used by the Turkish government. These platforms are operated by Turkish imams deployed overseas by the Diyanet and funded by taxpayer money.


This year President Erdogan’s office directed the Diyanet to collaborate with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) established by Turkey abroad as part of a comprehensive plan to strengthen their capacity. The aim is to use religious motivations to drive these NGOs toward advancing the political objectives of the Erdogan government in foreign countries.The presidential office also requested that the Diyanet recruit more qualified personnel for Turkey’s foreign missions, enhance their administrative and technical capacities and allocate additional financial resources to organizations engaged in what it terms “cultural diplomacy.”As of the beginning of this year, the Diyanet reported that it has 586 personnel serving abroad, including embassy counselors and attachés, with most employed on a contract basis.

 However, the foreign ministry’s 2024 internal report indicates a total of 1,497 personnel, including imams assigned to work at mosques and other religious institutions in the field.The discrepancy in numbers arises from personnel assigned for temporary, short-term employment as well as a covert program operated by the Turkish intelligence agency (Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı, MIT), which employs religious workers as a cover to deploy its agents in foreign countries.Since Turkish imams can easily operate within immigrant communities and have direct access to local organizations and municipalities, this situation presents a prime opportunity for Turkish intelligence to not only gather information but also identify potential recruits within these communities.The information gathered enables Turkish intelligence to identify vulnerabilities within local communities that can be exploited to influence national politics in favor of the Turkish government.

Additionally, it establishes a network of connections that can be mobilized when necessary to launch protests and rallies in foreign countries.The mandate of the Diyanet’s Directorate General of Foreign Affairs explicitly emphasizes the importance of coordinating its activities with other Turkish government agencies, including intelligence, in the selection, training and preparation of personnel assigned to serve abroad.In an overarching and broad mandate, the circular defining the directorate’s mandate states that it “is required to fulfill any assignment given to it,” which may include espionage on foreign soil on behalf of Turkish intelligence.Over the past decade the Erdogan government has significantly intensified its espionage operations abroad, with multiple government agencies actively recruiting agents, assets and informants, from dual citizens to foreign nationals, to gather intelligence and collect information. 

News

The United States and Israel are preparing destructive blows against Iran's nuclear facilities
The United States expects to complete military operations in Iran by autumn
Putin's adviser can visit Washington. Peskov confirms
Urgent
The military conflict can be inevitable. The French Foreign Minister warned Iran
Amazon has made a suggestion to buy Tiktok
Israel's Air Force attacked Damascus research center
Le Pen is going to apply to ECHR
The number of victims of the earthquake exceeded 3,000
Iran has closed the airspace and bring the army to the state of combat readiness
An earthquake shook the shores of Myanmar, this time with a magnitude of 5.0 magnets
Putin congratulated Lukashenko
The Prime Minister of Italy has called on the United States from the Commercial War
Scientists have found the asteroid parameters of the country and the moon
Urgent
The United States is going to strike on Iran's territory. Dm
A high-ranking representative of the US State Department has arrived in Baku
NATO Secretary General refuses to comment on "West-2025" military exercises
Even after the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia left for Azerbaijan to reach peace. ambassador
Urgent
The RA Armed Forces did not open fire on Azerbaijani positions. RA Ministry of Defense
The Minister of Justice has a new press secretary
Important
The results of the mayoral elections in Gyumri over the last 20 years (photo)

More News

...

I will continue to fight against the Armenian authorities. I have no expectations of social solutions from these. Roman Yeritsyan (video)

The preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings on the former director of Sevan National Park has been completed

"Hraparak". Anna Vardapetyan will go to the National Assembly again

"People". The people of Artsakh are preparing for a big rally. There is a problem with the right

"Hraparak". The CPIs "made" Vilen Gabrielyan's head

"Hraparak". The people of Artsakh have demanded an explanation from Vitaly Balasanyan

"People". They are looking for a candidate for the Minister of Internal Affairs. Arpine Sargsyan is leaving

Arsen Torosyan vs. Football Lovers. Or the rejoicing of Pashinyan's sadness. "PEOPLE"

After the turmoil, they had heard the voice of the minister, and never saw him. "PEOPLE"

Request mercy from God. The Primate of the Artsakh Diocese addressed support

"Civil Agreement" MP Wilen Gabrielyan has set up the mandate (video)

Germany apologizes to Azerbaijan for posting Artsakh's flag on President's social network

If you take administrative resources, it will not stay under it. "Fact"

"Hraparak". Six hours for nothing. Andranik Kocharyan was instructed not to talk

"Hraparak". The victory was fined

"Hraparak". They will fly heads. Pashinyan will do "Chestka" in the CPA

The salvation of the Armenian statehood in Armenia is the final change of government a day before. "Fact"

"Fact". Who organized Gyumri's action, and what devastating consequences did young people warn of

UEFA President Chefsini has questions in Armenia. "PEOPLE"

Who is to blame for the defeat of the CPA in Parakar? "PEOPLE"