Turkey to provide education to 2,500 Kazakh imams

Görmez, who was in Kazakhstan to attend the 4th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Thursday, said the duration of education which Turkey would provide to these men -- who include theology students and imams -- would be between one and six months.

He said an agreement was made with Lama Sharif, head of the Kazakh Religious Affairs Agency, on the issue. “We will hold placement tests for Kazakh men of religion and based on their results, we will provide them with professional education in Turkey,” Görmez said.

He also noted that Sharif requested that he consider making it possible for theology students from other countries to receive theology education in Turkey as well and that he would discuss the issue with Turkey's Higher Education Board (YÖK).