Cengiz İşkey, chairman of the Religious Officials' Union (Din Gör-Sen) in Northern Cyprus, has called on the Directorate of Religious Affairs along with health and legal authorities to conduct inspections, launch investigations, and issue a formal religious ruling regarding egg and sperm donation practices in the region.
In a written statement, İşkey argued that reproductive cell donation cannot be treated as a purely medical issue, stressing that it must be assessed comprehensively in terms of religious precepts, moral values, family structure, the determination of lineage, children's rights, and current legislation.
Pointing to reports from Turkey indicating that judicial proceedings have been initiated and measures taken against certain individuals over related matters, İşkey questioned whether competent authorities in Northern Cyprus have launched any legal review into existing reproductive practices or examined their compliance with current law.
İşkey called on the Directorate of Religious Affairs to publish a clear, reasoned, and publicly informative fatwa on the religious status of pregnancies achieved through third-party egg and sperm donation under Islamic law. He said such a statement should address in detail the religious and moral implications regarding biological parenthood, lineage, the institution of marriage, family ties, and the rights of children.
Urging health and legal bodies to carry out the necessary inspections within the framework of existing legislation, İşkey demanded that legal proceedings be initiated without delay if any violations are identified. Emphasising the importance of human dignity, the protection of lineage, and the sanctity of the family institution, he called on the relevant authorities to fulfil their responsibilities and keep the public accurately informed.
