There have been several reactionary impositions in Turkey only within a couple of weeks, and yet, the darkness of these impositions also reveal the importance of secularism and the legacy of enlightenment. A significant part of the society comes to rationalize the necessity of defending these values.
Here is the outline of reactionary attempts in the past few weeks.
NAQSHBANDI ORDER GIVING SHARIA LESSONS
As the imposition of Imam Hatip schools by the Ministry of National Education continues, some religious sects and orders also give sharia lessons. One of the examples of this had taken place in İzmir, Turkey in the past few weeks.
In the western metropolitan İzmir, a federation of the İsmailağa religious sect which is a branch of the Naqshbandi order had been reported to give sharia lessons to children aged 5 to 15. The same religious sect had also been reported to take kids to the picnic, making them wear turbans and salwar while playing games.
HISTORICAL SCHOOL BUILDING PLUNDERED BY A REACTIONARY FOUNDATION
A protocol has been signed between the Ministry of National Education and Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA) where Turkish President Erdoğan's son Bilal is one of the board members. According to this protocol, TÜGVA has been assigned the authorisation of giving religious education at schools. Among these schools, there is the historical school of İzmir Atatürk High School established in 1888.
MUFTIS AND IMAMS WILL BE AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT MARRIAGES
Turkey has been shaken by the very recent draft law of the AKP government, which grants the muftis and imams the authority to perform official marriage ceremonies. This draft law has been criticised as a violation of civil code and an attempt to build sharia law. It will cause a conflict of dual law in a secular country.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ commented that such an authority is not against the principle of secularism as argued by critics, but a part of secularism itself.
Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, the general secretary of the reactionary political party Hüda-Par, also supported this authority to imams and muftis. Yapıcıoğlu said that the ones who object to this draft law are the ones who support decriminalisation of adultery.
NEW CURRICULUM OF THE GOVERNMENT: SHARIA LESSONS
The new curriculum of the AKP government has been the touchstone of anti-secular transformations the government has been making for years in education. As the curriculum on the theory of evolution has been completely eliminated, jihadism and 15th July coup attempt have become new topics.
The general purposes of basic religion courses underline, “Upbringing individuals who adopt the love of Allah and prophet, and religious and ethical values."
DESTITUTE AND ABUSED CHILDREN ARE HANDED OVER TO RELIGOUS SECTS
The ministry of family and social policies has signed a protocol with Muradiye Cultural Foundation, known as the capital city branch of the Naqshbandi order. It has been revealed that 31 child care houses have been opened in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, by Muradiye Cultural Foundation. The ministry that is responsible from taking care of destitute and abused children have practically handed them over to this religious foundation and permitted their participation to religious activities.
RELIGIOUS IMPOSITIONS IN SOCIAL LIFE: "YOU CANNOT WALK AROUND IN THIS CLOTH"
There have been several cases of religious impositions in social life, most of them target at women for their clothing. The harassers in all these cases take their courage from the reactionary practices and discourses of the ruling AKP government. After a case in which a pregnant woman exercising at a public park was attacked, a woman wearing shorts had been attacked at a public transportation. Recently, a woman was harassed by a private security officer at Maçka Park, İstanbul for her clothing.
ORGANIZED STRUGGLE AGAINST THE REACTIONARY MOB KNOWN AS THE AKP
Against all these reactionary attacks, the Enlightenment Movement against Reactionism has called on the people "not to give in to this reactionary mob" that is ruling the country.
The Enlightenment Movement published a statement, criticizing the recent draft law of the AKP government which grants the muftis and imams the authority to perform official marriage ceremonies. The statement noted that even the discussion of this draft law at the parliament is an attack on the republic and demanded the withdrawal of it.
The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has also released a statement about the draft law. The statement underlined that the legacy of enlightenment in Turkey has the power to rip through this darkness and the draft law.
