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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. PHOTO: Reuters/ File
ISTANBUL:
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday defended a directive introducing Ramazan-related activities in public schools, rejecting criticism from opponents who said the move undermined Turkey’s secular principles.
Education Minister Yusuf Tekin issued a circular ordering schools from preschool to high school nationwide to organise religious activities during the Muslim holy month.
Critics say that has opened a fault-line in Turkey, a constitutionally secular state. They accuse the government of seeking to Islamise the education system and erode the separation of religion and state.
Erdogan told lawmakers from his Islamic-rooted AKP party in parliament: “What has been done is right, appropriate, lawful, and … a highly beneficial service that reflects the sentiments of our nation.”
Schools would organise discussion programmes and fast-breaking dinners aimed at strengthening school-family cooperation, he said, adding that participation would be voluntary.
