The Turkish Cypriot Mufti, Ahmet Unsal, has been removed from his position following a request from “prime minister” Unal Ustel with Ankara’s approval, according to Turkish Cypriot newspaper Bugun Kipris.
The newspaper reports that Ustel raised concerns about Unsal during his recent visit to Ankara, where he informed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz about local dissatisfaction with the Mufti.
Ustel reportedly highlighted problems Unsal had created among religious officials, pending lawsuits against him, and negative public opinion. Sources say Ankara responded by authorising Unsal’s removal, though some claim he resigned.
Unsal, who was appointed by Ankara in 2021, has faced sustained criticism over his alleged role in alienating believers, financial dealings with religious organisations, and his promoted views.
The controversy intensified after Turkish Cypriot media released an audio recording from a women’s seminar, organised by the “embassy”, where Unsal discussed wives’ “duties” and “responsibilities” under Islamic law. He initially denied the reports but was contradicted when the recording became public.
Bugun Kipris reports that discussions about Unsal’s successor have already begun, with Hakan Moral supported by Unsal’s circle and Fahrettin Ogdu backed by the Turkish Cypriot “religious officials’ union”.
