WordBulletin

The İstanbul Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against pianist Fazıl Say over statements he made on Twitter about Islam and Islamic values.

Earlier this week, Say sent controversial tweets questioning whether heaven in Islamic belief is like a brothel or pub because the Quran says there are rivers of drinks and houris [very beautiful women] in heaven for those who commit good deeds while they are on earth.

Say also tweeted about a muezzin who recited the evening call for prayer in 22 seconds, questioning whether he was in a rush to reunite with his lover or go to the "rakı" table. Rakı is a kind of alcoholic drink which is banned according to Islam.

The prosecutor's office has found Say's statements run contrary to the first and third points of the 216th Article of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). These points concern the offenses of “fomenting hatred and enmity among the public” and “insulting religious values.”

Say's controversial statements sparked a widespread reaction. The pianist later removed the tweets from his account.