Alevi Reaction To Mandatory Religion Courses Spreads

Alevi activities against the mandatory religious courses in the schools are becoming nationwide.

There will be sit-in activities in Istanbul, Izmir, Adana and Malatya this weekend. In addition to the Alevi Bektashi Federation (ABF) and the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association (PSAKD), many unions, professional organizations and institutions are supporting the activities.

“Let us raise the struggle to higher levels”

The organizations are criticizing that in spite of the decisions by the European Human Rights Court (EHRC) and the State Council, the government does not take any steps to remove the mandatory religious courses.

“In order to take the legal struggle forward, to make this the struggle of the Alevis and the democratic forces, to accelerate the practice of the democratic struggle and to diversify it, we should really question the denialist system as a whole, starting with the Justice and Development Party (AKP).”

The EHRC had said in its October 2007 decision that the mandatory religious courses were a violation of the “education right.”

Activities

The İstanbul sit-in activity will take place in Taksim Square on Sunday August 31 between 12:30 and 13:30.

The İzmir activity, which is supported by the Platform of the Alevi Bektashi and the local associations, will be in Konak Square on Saturday August 30 between 14:00-14:30. Gümüş and ABF President Ali Balkız will join the activity as well.

On the same day, there will be activities in Adana’s İnönü Park and Malatya’s İnönü High School between 12:30 and 13:00. (EÜ/EZÖ/TB)