Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş Becomes New Head of Diyanet
According to the official decree published in the Official Gazette on September 18, 2025, Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş has been appointed as the new President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı), replacing Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş.
Prior to this appointment, Arpaguş served as the Mufti of Istanbul, a role he held since 2021. His new position places him at the forefront of shaping Turkey’s national and international religious policies.
Who Is Safi Arpaguş?
Born in 1967 in Gümüşhacıköy, Amasya, Safi Arpaguş completed his early education locally. He graduated from Gümüşhacıköy Imam-Hatip High School in 1985 and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Marmara University Faculty of Theology in 1990.
Academic Background and Islamic Scholarship
That same year, he began his academic journey as a research assistant in the university’s Department of Sufism. He earned his master’s degree in 1994 with a thesis on Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi, and completed his Ph.D. in 2001 with a dissertation on Rumi’s method of conveying religious messages.
In the years that followed, he became a docent in 2008 and a professor in 2014.
A Scholar of Sufism
Prof. Arpaguş is best known for his contributions to Sufi studies, particularly in the fields of Islamic mysticism, spiritual education, and Mevlevi traditions. His works focus on major Islamic figures like Mevlânâ Celâleddin Rûmî and Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi.
Among his most notable publications are:
- Mevlânâ and Islam: Perception and Expression
- Spiritual Education in Mevlevism
- Conversations of Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi
He has also contributed to the commentary and publication of classical Sufi texts and Mesnevi interpretations, making him a leading authority in this field.
Leadership in Religious Education and Public Service
From 2011 to 2021, Arpaguş served as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Marmara University. He also chaired the Department of Sufism, combining his academic responsibilities with his public service roles.
As a Mufti and public religious leader, Arpaguş has been active in promoting Islamic education, spiritual development, and social responsibility. Through seminars, conferences, and media appearances, he has worked to make religious knowledge more accessible to the public.
His unique combination of scholarship and public engagement positions him as a modern and influential voice in Turkish religious life.
