A smoker can never become an imam, says Turkey’s top religious leader

A cigarette smoker can never become an imam, or a worship leader in Muslim communities, said the head of Turkey’s top religious authority Diyanet, Ali Erbaş, on Monday.

In his remarks, Erbaş went on to say that he is of the belief that smoking is haram, or religiously forbidden.

He also said that non-smoker imams will be favored for positions during this year’s Hajj and Umrah duties, noting that “Maybe in the future, smokers will not be allowed to sit exams to become imams.”

“We need to be very careful and sensitive about this. Religious tasks are holy duties, and our imams need to stay away from such addictions,” said Erbaş.

Diyanet is part of the Turkish state but its fatwas or edicts to not have any legal power.