"The Turkish Parliament is set to debate a bill that envisages making the completion of the religion section on identity cards optional. According to the draft bill, which was presented to Parliament over the weekend, the religion section on the identity cards of newly born children will be left empty if families so demand.
The bill is designed to meet the requirements of both the state and citizens and ensure that birth registrations are made properly and includes articles that aim to make the completion of the religion section on identity cards optional. The person will have the right to get their religion changed on the ID or have it included or excluded. According to the current system, a citizen has to submit a court application in order to obtain the right to change the religion section on their ID. However, if the draft bill is accepted by Parliament, the case will be easier; if parents prefer to leave the religion part in the newly born child's identity card empty, the child will get the chance to fill the empty part according to their choice when they reach the age of 18 without any application to court. Only those who wish to fill the religion part in their IDs with a system of belief that's not a formally accepted religion will have to apply to court."
"Ahmet İnal, AKP Batman deputy, said the religion of a child should be the same as the religion of his parents until they are 18, so it should not be left empty. AKP Çanakkale deputy İbrahim Köşdere objected to the bill, saying that it will destroy our spiritual values."
"As an answer to comments that the bill would promote missionary work, CHP Istanbul deputy Ali Rıza Gülçiçek said it would not do so, stating that everybody will choose their religion according to their beliefs and lives. CHP Ankara deputy Yakup Kepenek said he found the regulation positive and added that it would be logical for individuals to make their religious preferences after they have reached a suitably mature age."
Parliament to consider making religion optional on ID cards - Turkish Daily News Feb 27, 2006
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