Erdogan Suggests Reinterpretation of Secularism According to Modern Democracy

"Erdogan focused on Ataturk’s concept of secularism, and said that secularism does not equal atheism, stressing that the principles put in place by Ataturk should be reinterpreted according to the norms of modern democracy.

“Ataturk’s decisions, appropriate during the years of fighting for national independence and their emerging concepts, need to be redefined, even though these concepts were internalized by the Turkish people and acted to unite them,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan defined secularism as the fundamental and uniting feature of the republic and a guarantee for the freedom of religions and religious belief.

This is guaranteed by the Constitution and secularism does not mean atheism, Erdogan stressed.

“Secularism means that everybody has the right to adopt whatever belief and sect they wish, worshipping freely, and avoiding any discrimination due to their religious beliefs.”

ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2006051733162)