Adnan Oktar

Adnan Oktar, born on February 2, 1956, is a prominent Turkish figure known for his controversial role as a cult leader and televangelist. Also recognized as Adnan Hoca or Harun Yahya, he has made significant contributions to Islamic creationism and has authored numerous books aimed at promoting his interpretation of Islam.

Throughout the 2000s and late 2010s, Oktar engaged in extensive efforts to convert Western audiences to Islam, producing a plethora of vividly illustrated works. His organization, often labeled a cult, has been at the center of various controversies, particularly regarding his unorthodox views that diverge from both Sunni and Shia traditions, focusing instead on Quranism.

Oktar's activities included sending thousands of unsolicited copies of his creationist book, The Atlas of Creation, to educational institutions in France and the United States. He also established two organizations: Bilim Araştırma Vakfı (BAV), which promoted creationism, and Millî Değerleri Koruma Vakfı, which addressed various moral issues within Turkey.

In November 2022, Oktar was sentenced to eight thousand six hundred fifty-eight years in prison for leading a criminal gang, engaging in political and military espionage, and committing sexual abuse of minors, among other charges. His legal battles included filing over five thousand lawsuits for defamation, which resulted in the blocking of several prominent websites in Turkey.