Turkish YouTuber flees country over critique of Islam
25 June 2024
A Turkish YouTuber known as Diamond Tema has fled to Albania following severe backlash over a video in which he criticised Prophet Muhammad, revered by Muslims, using religious texts and scientific sources.
In the controversial content, Tema claimed that Prophet Muhammad married a child bride, referencing significant Islamic literature. He argued that in a nation that considers itself a secular republic, prioritising religious doctrines over modern principles is contradictory and results in restrictions on freedom of expression, progressive rights, and political inclusivity.
The broadcast provoked outrage, leading to Diamond Tema being targeted by pro-sharia social media accounts. Sharia, or Islamic law, is based on the Quran and Hadith and prohibits hurtful speech, frequently repressing criticism.
Similarly, the minister of justice announced, "An arrest warrant has been issued for Diamond Tema due to his presence abroad. The provocative, ugly, and inflammatory expressions used regarding the Islamic religion and our beloved Prophet are utterly unacceptable."
Filiz Saraç, president of the Istanbul Bar Association, emphasised the importance of freedom of expression and human rights, stating, "We hope the minister shows the same sensitivity towards entities that act against the secular Republic."
 | Yakup Can Yargıç In the wake of the video, tens of thousands of social media users expressed their support for Diamond Tema, advocating for the freedom to discuss all topics, including religion. Diamond Tema, who noted that some individuals had called for his death, stated, "If they want to arrest me and take me to court the next time I come to Türkiye, that's fine. I don't want my photos handcuffed to be shared online. I won't give them that pleasure." The challenges faced by Diamond Tema following his vocal criticism show Türkiye's long history of silencing critical voices. From being five times the worst jailer of journalists in the past to the 2022 disinformation law, the decade-long ruling AKP has repeatedly tightened the government’s control over the right to free speech. |
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