The construction of the Central Mosque in the center of Agiri started in 2022 with the donations of some business people and became operational in 2023. The rent of the 50 workplaces under the mosque is transferred to the New Central Mosque Construction and Sustenance Association, of which Kasım Bulan, who previously served as deputy mayor from the AKP, is the chair. The annual income is estimated to be over 5 million Liras. 

 

Ağrı Provincial Special Provincial Administration allocated an appropriation of 7 million Liras to be used for the construction of the mosque. In the decision taken with a majority of votes, “The amount of the appropriation transferred for the purchase of materials to be used in the construction of the central mosque in our province is 7 million Liras. The appropriation was deposited into the bank account of the New Central Mosque Construction and Sustenance Association.” 

 

'RENT IS BEING OBTAINED'

 

Melik Özmüş, co-chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Agirî Provincial General Assembly, said that there is rent-seeking over the construction of the mosque. Özmüş said: “The rent of nearly 50 workplaces under the central mosque is transferred to the mosque association. It is a mosque that is constantly funded by the Directorate of Religious Affairs. The Special Provincial Administration, which does not provide services to the villages, transfers money to the mosque's association. While hundreds of villages in this city still do not have roads, mosques and schools, it is not acceptable to be corrupt in this way. The association established under the name of this mosque is corrupt. There is a rant going on here.”

 

MA / Hakan Yalçın