Turkish Court Rules That Religion Classes Are Not Compulsory

Turkey's Council of State ruled yesterday that students may be excused from religion courses as they are currently offered in Turkey's schools. Today's Zaman reports on the court's ruling in a case brought by the father of a seventh grader. Explaining the ruling, the 8th Chamber of the Council of State said: "It is stated in Article 24 of the Constitution that primary, secondary and high school students are obliged to attend classes on religion, culture and morality. But these classes cannot be considered classes on culture and morality in terms of their content. Thus, it is not against the law to allow students' parents to decide whether they should attend these classes." Today's International Herald Tribune reports that plaintiffs in the case were an Alevi family who objected to their children being forced to attend Sunni-oriented classes. It continues: "The ruling is likely to please the European Union which has made religious liberties a condition for Turkey's membership bid. The EU has been pressing Turkey to address Alevi claims, including difficulties opening their houses of worship and obtaining state funds for religious facilities." (See prior related posting.)