Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin on Sunday disputed President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's assertion that religious fundamentalism poses a growing danger in Türkiye. Sahin made his remarks after Sezer, speaking at the opening of parliament's fifth legislative year, described fundamentalism as a serious threat to the state and society.
Sahin acknowledged that the risk cannot be dismissed entirely, but argued that any meaningful discussion requires a clear definition of what fundamentalism actually means. He added that the government, public administration, and security forces are capable of confronting any group seeking to impose religion-based rule.
Parliamentary Speaker Bülent Arınç described the president's address as significant but declined to offer a detailed assessment, saying doing so would be disrespectful to Sezer. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt offered a more direct appraisal, calling the speech well prepared and "full of prominent messages."
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.