( CNN ) -- A Turkish television show is offering contestants what it claims is the `` biggest prize ever '' -- the chance for atheists to convert to one of the world 's major religions . The TV show offers converts to Islam the chance to visit Mecca . The show , called `` Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor , '' or `` Penitents Compete , '' features a Muslim imam , a Catholic priest , a Jewish rabbi and a Buddhist monk attempting to persuade 10 atheists of the merits of their religion , according to CNN Turk . If they succeed , the contestants are rewarded with a pilgrimage to one of their chosen faith 's most sacred sites -- Mecca for Muslims , Jerusalem for converts to Judaism , a trip to Tibet for Buddhists and the chance to visit Ephesus and the Vatican for Christians . Ahmet Ozdemir , deputy director of Turkish channel Kanal T , which will air the show from September , said the program aimed to `` turn disbelievers on to God . '' `` People are free to believe anything they want . Our program does not have a say , '' he said , according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet . Contestants will be judged by a panel of eight theologians and religious experts prior to going on the show to make sure their lack of faith is genuine . But the show has been condemned by Turkish religious leaders . The head of the country 's supreme council of religious affairs , Hamza Aktan , told CNN Turk that it was `` disrespectful '' to place different faiths in competition with each other and accused Kanal T of using religion to boost ratings . `` To do such a thing for the sake of ratings , not only with Islam but with all religions is disrespectful , '' said Aktan . `` Religion should not be the subject of this type of program . '' Although Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population and culture , religion is a sensitive subject because of the country 's staunchly secular constitution which outlaws most displays of faith in public life . Last year the Islamist-influenced government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan clashed with the country 's constitutional court when judges overturned the efforts of Erdogan 's AK Party to lift a ban on female students wearing headscarves at public universities . Aylin Yazan at CNN Turk contributed to this story .
Turkish TV show features imam , Catholic priest , Jewish rabbi , Buddhist monk . Religious leaders attempt to persuade atheists to `` convert '' to their faith . Show has prompted criticism from religious groups who say it is `` disrespectful ''