Court opposes religious teaching in schools

Turkey: Court opposes religious teaching in schools - Adnkronos Religion

A Turkish court on Tuesday reaffirmed an earlier ruling that religious education was not compulsory in schools. According to the Anatolian news agency, a court in the southern province of Antalya ruled in favour of a minority Alevi Muslim family who demanded that their daughter be exempt from participating in religious education at her primary school.

The local administration had said that only Christian and Jewish students should be exempt from participating in religious lessons under the law.

Turkish courts have ruled to stop compulsory religious education. The European Court of Justice also ruled against Turkey in a similar case.

"The ruling sets a precedent. Those wanting to be exempt from participating in compulsory religious lessons should file a suit," the student's lawyer Nusret Gurgoz told the Anatolian agency.