11.04.2025 14:10
In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), where discussions about secularism have been prominent, a development has occurred that has further intensified the debates. Tufan Erhürman, the leader of the opposition party CTP, did not raise his hands in prayer during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Supreme Court and the National Library. In a subsequent statement, Erhürman said, "I do not find it appropriate to pray at openings."
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The foundation of the new building to be constructed in the area where the Supreme Court's Presidential Complex is located and the National Library was laid today in a ceremony.
The ceremony held in the conference hall of the new complex of the Republic Assembly was attended by President Ersin Tatar, Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Cevdet Yılmaz, Speaker of the Assembly Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, President of the Supreme Court Bertan Özerdağ, General President of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey Murat Kurum, ministers, deputies, bureaucrats, and officials. The first brick for the projects to be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Turkey and TOKİ was laid with prayers.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PRAYER
During the ceremony, the stance of Tufan Erhürman, the General President of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in the opposition, drew attention. While the names on stage raised their hands for prayer, Erhürman did not participate in this tradition and waited with his hands down.
"NOT CORRECT IN TERMS OF SECULARISM"
CTP leader Erhürman later stated, "I do not find it appropriate to pray at openings. This is also not correct in terms of the secularism principle in our Constitution."
SECULARISM DEBATE ON THE AGENDA IN TRNC
Recently, secularism debates have become the number one item on the agenda in the TRNC. A rally was held in Nicosia a few days ago, with slogans such as "Cyprus is secular, it will remain secular."
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