Hundreds of mourners attend funeral of leading Islamic scholar

Hundreds including President Erdogan have gathered in Istanbul without social distancing for the funeral of a prominent Islamic scholar, without social distancing.

Muhammed Emin Sarac died at his home on Friday after a battle with Covid-19.

The distinguished hadith scholar was a preacher at Istanbul’s Fatih Mosque where Sunday’s funeral was held.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey on February 21

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey on February 21

Erdogan was one of hundreds who gathered for the funeral, with attendees wearing masks but not observing social distancing 

Hundreds including President Erdogan gathered in Istanbul without social distancing for the funeral of a prominent Islamic scholar, without social distancing 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey on February 21

Sarac was close friends with Erdogan who had known him since school, with the President saying he had ‘benefited greatly’ from his teachings.

Erdogan was one of hundreds who gathered for the funeral, with attendees wearing masks but not observing social distancing.

Turkey has had more than 2.6million confirmed cases of Covid with 27,983 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

People attend funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey on February 21

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

In the past week alone, the country has recorded 51,980 cases and 606 deaths.

Turkey aims to procure 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of April, its health minister said on Friday, adding Ankara would also receive some 800,000 doses of the shots developed by Pfizer and BioNTech this month.

Ankara started a nationwide vaccination programme last month that has so far administered a first dose to some 5.5 million people. More than a million people have received the second dose of the vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd, according to health ministry data.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends funeral ceremony of prominent Islamic scholar Muhammed Emin Sarac at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

Erdogan was one of hundreds who gathered for the funeral, with attendees wearing masks butnot observing social distancing. 

Speaking to the Sabah newspaper, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Turkey planned to procure a further 105 million doses by the end of April, but did not specify which vaccines would be obtained. He said Turks would be given the option to choose between the Sinovac and BioNTech shots once both are available.

‘By the end of April, a procurement of 105 million vaccine doses is being planned,’ Koca said. ‘It is expected that around 800,000 doses of (BioNTech) vaccines will arrive this month,’ he was quoted as saying.

Koca said Turkey was preparing to administer 35 million shots in March.

The distinguished hadith scholar was a preacher at Istanbul’s Fatih Mosque where Sunday’s funeral was held

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Turkey will begin a gradual return to ‘normal life’ in March on a province-by-province basis

‘Citizens whose vaccination turn arrives will be presented this option. Their confirmations will be received. This vaccine will also especially be offered to the group of 60 year-olds and younger,’ he said, referring to BioNTech’s shots.

Turkey has ordered 50 million doses of Sinovac’s Coronavac and has been in talks to buy shots developed by other companies. Ankara has so far received 13 million doses of Coronavac, but no BioNTech shots. 

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Turkey will begin a gradual return to ‘normal life’ in March on a province-by-province basis.