Identifying Learning Qur'an with Terror Impossible

"Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly reacted against interpretations ofa decrease in punishment envisioned against individuals opening educational institutions without official permission in an alteration of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) as a "concession for illegal Qur'an courses and terrorist organizations"."

"Erdogan said that it is a very natural right of Turkish people to learn the holy book, which is the source of their religion. "No one has the right to play with our people's sensitivities." he warned. The Prime Minister criticized Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal without mentioning his name. Erdogan said: " It is a disrespect against Muslims to misinterpret studying the Qur'an as an instrument of any terrorist organization. You cannot exploit this. It would be wrong. If you do this, this nation would not forgive you."


ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2005052920092)