Ruşen Çakır: Erdoğan Is Preparing to Blame the Süleymancı Sect for the İmamoğlu Fallout
The Suleymancilar (religious) Order at a funeralsuleymancılar
Prominent journalist and Turkey analyst Ruşen Çakır says President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is preparing to hold the Süleymancı religious community accountable for the political and legal storm surrounding Istanbul Mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. In a video commentary titled “Erdoğan Is Getting Ready to Make the Süleymancılar Pay the Price for İmamoğlu,” Çakır interprets Erdoğan’s latest remarks in Parliament as the beginning of a narrative shift—and possibly, a legal crackdown.
Erdoğan Signals Deepening Corruption Probe
Speaking at the AKP’s parliamentary group meeting, Erdoğan described the ongoing investigations into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) as the largest criminal network probe in modern Turkish history. He claimed that the alleged corruption and extortion had spiraled into a national security issue:
“The dark organization in Istanbul has transformed into an octopus with international links, spreading into multiple municipalities and institutions across the country.”
Erdoğan added that the “web of distorted relationships” allegedly now encompasses the bureaucracy, business world, media, certain religious groups, and even intelligence agencies—suggesting that the corruption in local governments is not limited to any single political party.
Ruşen Çakır: Erdoğan Is Targeting the Süleymancı Sect
According to Çakır, Erdoğan’s vague references to “certain religious communities” are specifically aimed at the Sunni Süleymancı sect (order or also called tariqat). “While Erdoğan didn’t name names, the recent media and online troll attacks on the Süleymancılar leave little doubt,” Çakır argued.
He added that in the coming days, judicial operations against the Süleymancı community are likely to follow. Despite being one of Turkey’s oldest and most influential Islamic communities, the Süleymancılar have long been monitored closely by the state and, according to Çakır, “never truly left unattended.”
Why Are the Süleymancılar Being Targeted?
Çakır offered a political rationale: “The Süleymancılar never supported the AKP. They’ve traditionally favored center-right or nationalist parties and stayed at arm’s length from Erdoğan’s camp.” While this did not amount to hostility, it meant they also did not serve as a political ally.
Now, with rumors swirling that some elements of the Süleymancı network have moved closer to the opposition—particularly Ekrem İmamoğlu—Erdoğan may be seizing the moment to punish them. But Çakır warns that even if the Süleymancılar are weakened, Erdoğan could end up paying the bigger price in the long run:
“If Erdoğan really intends to make them pay for the İmamoğlu crisis, it could backfire. The real loser might be Erdoğan himself.”
Police Raids Reportedly Begin
The warning signs may already be materializing. According to a report from Halk TV, a police operation against the Süleymancı community has already been launched. The report claims four individuals have been detained—including a senior judicial bureaucrat—on charges related to a corruption investigation.
Halk TV linked the operation to Erdoğan’s “octopus-like criminal network” remarks in Parliament, as well as a controversial column by pro-government commentator Fuat Uğur, who claimed, “After FETÖ and Adnan Oktar, it’s now the Süleymancılar’ turn.”
A Secret Meeting Amid Panic?
Adding fuel to the speculation, Fatih Süleyman Denizolgun—former AKP lawmaker and the grandson of Süleymancı founder Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan—shared explosive claims on social media. Denizolgun alleged that community leader Alihan Kuriş convened a secret midnight meeting with top-level Süleymancı figures after Erdoğan’s May 14 remarks, signaling a state of panic within the sect’s leadership.
An Authoritarian Pattern Repeats Itself
The situation echoes Erdoğan’s previous clampdowns on influential religious groups and networks, notably FETÖ and the Adnan Oktar cult. It also underscores his broader strategy of consolidating power by eliminating rivals and co-opting or neutralizing independent religious communities.
Çakır’s warning is stark: targeting the Süleymancılar may offer a short-term distraction from the political firestorm surrounding İmamoğlu, but it risks further alienating Erdoğan’s remaining conservative allies and stirring up intra-Islamist tensions.
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