ANKARA - Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin has stated that religion should be viewed as a social reality. ''Are we not going to teach Islam to our children?'' asked Aydin.
Aydin replied questions from journalists at the Turkish parliament. The questions referred to a recent report by the European Council that asked for more freedoms in the area of religion, removal of a section on religion on national ID cards and end of religious studies courses at Turkish schools.
Aydin stressed that religious studies courses are not mandatory for students. ''Religious studies courses are being taught as 'cultural courses,''' remarked Aydin.
''99 percent of our country is comprised of Muslims. Are we not going to teach Islam to our children? Whether or not they follow Islam is their own responsibility. There is a religion called Islam. This religion is that of the society. We must provide the most up-to-date information on Islam in order to complete the cultural education. Those individuals who are not informed about a religion can not make sound decisions. Religion must be looked as a social reality,'' indicated Aydin.
In reference to the religion bracket on national IDs, Aydin said that it would be best to ask the opinion of the Turkish public on the issue.
Asked about his ideas on the religious studies courses in Turkey, the Turkish Parliament National Education Commission Chairman Tayyar Altikulac remarked that there is no mandatory religious studies course in Turkey. ''The only course mandatory is on Religious Culture and Ethics,'' stressed Altikulac.
Meanwhile, Turkish Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Mehmet Dulger commented that it is very important for a society to pass on religious education to its young ones. ''Great Britain makes it mandatory for children to be educated on Christianity until they are 17-18 years old,'' expressed Dulger.
''The decision of the European Council is questionable. Turkey does not have to accept everything suggested by the European Council.''