Turkish President Supports Top Cleric’s Homophobic Comments

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday evening that he supports Ali Erbas, the head of Directorate of Religious Affairs, Diyanet, over his statements condemning homosexuality.

Erdogan also slammed the Ankara Bar Association, a lawyers' group, for accusing Erbas of inciting hatred.

"An attack on our Diyanet head is an attack on the state and on Islam," Erdogan said.

"Our Diyanet head has made a statement, and with this statement he has fulfilled his duty with regards to his belief, discipline and duty. And what he said is totally right. Of course our Diyanet head's remarks are binding for those who define themselves as Muslims," he added.

Erbas, Turkey's top cleric, said in his sermon on Friday that Islam condemns homosexuality.

"[Islam] curses homosexuality, because it causes diseases and causes the lineage to decay," Erbas said.

Right groups accused Erbas of committing a hate crime, while the Ankara Bar Association claimed he was "inciting hate and enmity".

The Bar Association's statement sparked a nationwide debate and Erdogan's ruling AKP party urged the authorities to launch an investigation into the lawyers' group.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office then launched a probe on Monday into whether the Bar Association insulted people's religious values.

The Bar Association also slammed the investigation and Erdogan's remarks.

"In a secular state, the administration is based on rational and scientific information, in line with society's needs, not on religious rules," it said late on Monday.

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey but homophobia is widespread and LGBT pride marches have been banned.