"Turkey is set to allow its citizens to choose whether or not they want their religion specified on identity cards. The move which for Turkey marks a step towards complying with European Union regulations doing away with people being classified by religious creed, is expected to be approved by Parliament soon. Turkey’s Islamic ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) last week tabled in parliament the bill which states that the religion section on identity cards issued to newly born children can be left blank if their families so wish.
In addition, the bill would allow people to change the information appearing under the entry 'religion' on their IDs.
Currently all IDs indicate whether a citizen is Muslim, Christian or Jewish - Turkey's three recognised religions."
"Most AKP deputies have come out in support of the bill, with some saying it will mean that only people who are serious about their Muslim faith will have it stated on their documents.
"The fact that not being able to change the religion on IDs means that even atheists and even enemies of Islam are classified as Muslims has made my blood boil," says Resul Tosun, a AKP lawmaker.
Another AKP parliamentarian, Tayyar Altikulac from Istanbul thinks that people's committment to their faith should not be gauged by what appears on their IDs.
"What is written on the ID as the religion is just a detail. The contact or support a Muslim person has with a local mosque is what really matters, like the relationships between Christians and their churches in European countries," he says."
TURKEY: RELIGION TO BECOME AN OPTIONAL ON ID CARDS
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