Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs

The Ankara Chamber of Veterinarians has asked the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) to have imams deliver sermons for people not to slaughter diseased or pregnant animals during the Eid al-Adha, also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice."

The Holy Theological School on the island of Halki (Heybeliada), one of the Princes' islands in the Sea of Marmara, has remained closed for almost 50 years, yet not a year has passed without it attracting hundreds of visitors and international attention. However, it may soon be eclipsed by a more grandiose religious establishment.

The Romanian Muftiyat, which represents Muslims in the country, has cancelled its project to build a showpiece mosque in the capital, saying the costs were too high.

The Muftiyat has filed a request to the Ministry of Culture to return the property assigned for the planned mosque to the Romanian government, Mufti Iusuf Murat said.