Religious lessons not compulsory in Turkish schools

PanARMENIAN.Net - A Turkish court reaffirmed earlier rulings on Tuesday that religious lessons are not compulsory in schools regardless of faith.



A court in the southern province of Antalya ruled in favor of an Alevi family who demanded their daughter be exempt from participating in religious lessons at the primary school she is attending.



The local administration had defended that only Christian and Jewish students would be exempt from participating in religious lessons in accordance to the law that excludes Alevis.



Turkish courts have ruled to halt the implementation of compulsory religious education in related applications. The European Court of Justice (ECHR) 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 suit," the student's lawyer Nusret Gurgoz said, Anatolian Agency reports.