In 1975 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in law from Istanbul University.

He appointed, in 2005, two women from Diyanet Isleri as vice muftis (i.e. professional jurists who interpret Islamic law and counselor who help local Muslims on religious issues) for the mosques of the Turkish cities of Kayseri and Istanbul.

In February 2006 he participated as an honored guest in the opening ceremony of a Protestant church in Alanya.

He is one of the signatory Ulama of the Amman Message, which gives a broad foundation for defining Muslim orthodoxy.

[2] He met with Pope Benedict XVI on November 28, 2006, in Ankara to help further interfaith dialog between Catholics and Muslims.