However, this prompted the decision to send a formal communication to the Libyan embassy, requesting that, if necessary, he should be detained and sent back to Turkey.
[2] After completing his primary and secondary education in his hometown, he moved to Istanbul, where he pursued religious studies at the Darü’l-Hilâfeti’l Âliyye Madrasah.
Later on 24 November 1932, to 30 April 1934, he worked as a substitute Turkish language and civics teacher at the Bulgarian School in Beyoğlu, Istanbul.
After his initial military service, he resumed his teaching role at the Bulgarian School in Beyoğlu, where he taught Turkish language and civics from 1935 to 1935.
Following the military coup on May 27, 1960, Elmalı was appointed as the mufti of Istanbul, one of the prominent positions in the Turkish religious establishment.
His deputy, Yaşar Tunagür, who had connections to the Nur movement, frequently disagreed with Elmalı on appointments and administrative practices.
However, in 1970, after a split within the political right, Elmalı joined the newly founded Democratic Party, led by Ferruh Bozbeyli.