Türkiye halts ads for products named Kaaba Cover Scent and Al-Aqsa Mosque Scent

The Turkish Ministry of Trade’s Advertising Board decided to halt advertisements for products sold on e-commerce platforms under names such as “Kaaba Cover Scent” and “Al-Aqsa Mosque Scent,” deeming the use of sacred-place names for commercial purposes an exploitation of religious sentiments.

The Turkish Ministry of Trade’s Advertising Board decided to halt advertisements for several products offered for sale on e-commerce platforms under names such as “Kaaba Cover Scent” and “Al-Aqsa Mosque Scent,” the ministry’s press and public relations adviser, Beker Kaplan, announced.

Kaplan explained that the ministry had identified the use of elements to which society attaches spiritual value, such as the Kaaba, the Noble Rawdah in Medina, Al-Aqsa Mosque and Mount Uhud, for commercial purposes in product promotions. After reviewing the advertisements, the Advertising Board concluded that they exploited society’s religious sentiments and violated regulations.

The board reached its decision in five separate cases under Article 61 of Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and the relevant provisions of the Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices.

View of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Kaplan concluded: “Our spiritual values cannot be exploited for commercial profit.” Products such as perfumes, air fresheners and incense have recently been widely marketed on Turkish e-commerce websites under the names of sacred places.

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