JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained his government's policy of holding Ramadan 2026 activities in schools that his opposition criticized as damaging Turkey's secular principles.
"What has been done is right, proper, legal, and ... a very useful service that reflects the sentiments of our nation," Erdogan told members of the AKP party's parliamentarians rooted in Islam in the Turkish parliament, Wednesday, February 25, quoted by AFP.
Turkish Education Minister Yusuf Tekin issued a circular ordering schools from preschool to high school across Turkey to hold religious activities during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 AD.
Critics say the policy has opened a gap in the constitutionally secular country. They accuse the government of trying to Islamize the education system and erode the separation of religion and state.
In his policy, schools will hold discussion programs and buka puasa bersama with the aim of strengthening school-family cooperation. According to Erdogan, participation in the activity is voluntary.
The circular letter of the Turkish Ministry of Education regarding the policy in schools during Ramadan 2026 has sparked a protest-oriented petition, which so far has been signed by more than 42,000 people.
More than 160 prominent figures, including writer Ayse Kulin and actress Mujde Ar, signed the online petition.
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