21.02.2026 19:45
The Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, made statements regarding the criticisms directed at the circular sent to 81 provinces for the theme "Ramadan at the Heart of Education." Minister Tekin stated that he would take the insulting expressions in the statement to court, saying, "If they have the courage to call people who are sensitive about Ramadan 'a reactionary minority' in a country where 99% of the population is Muslim, then as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, I am obliged to take this to court."
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin reacted to a statement published against Ramadan activities in schools, which was signed by 168 people, and said they have resorted to legal action.
Responding to questions from the press during the Ramadan events held at the Presidential Complex, Tekin stated that they would evaluate the criticisms on a legal basis and mentioned that he would take some expressions to court.
"TURKEY IS A LAW STATE"
Emphasizing that the circular has constitutional and legal grounds, Tekin expressed that the work done is in accordance with the law.
"Turkey is a law state. I evaluated the constitutional grounds of my work, the grounds in terms of Turkish National Education legislation, primarily referencing the National Education Basic Law No. 1739, as well as the references made to national culture and values since the establishment of the Republic," he said, arguing that there is no element in the circular that is contrary to the law.
"RAMADAN IS UNITY AND SOLIDARITY IN ANATOLIA"
Claiming that the groups directing the criticisms are distant from the values of Turkish society, Tekin stated that the month of Ramadan is one of the periods when mutual aid and solidarity are most intensely experienced in Anatolia.
Stating that he lives together with neighbors from different beliefs and cultures, Tekin said, "In Anatolia, no one looks at anyone's religion during Ramadan. If someone is in need, they share their fitra alms with their neighbor. If there are those who think this is not compatible with the values of Turkish society, they should sit down and analyze themselves."
INSULTING EXPRESSIONS
Reacting to some statements that characterized Ramadan activities as "Talibanization," Tekin argued that these expressions contain insults directed at both himself and the National Education community.
"They get uncomfortable when we say we will take someone who calls Ramadan 'Talibanization' to court. I say that Ramadan is a part of national culture. They say it is an attack on the secular constitutional order. Defending secularism is not a crime, but trying to impose a distance from the religious values of society with a top-down logic is a crime," he stated.
"I WILL TAKE THE TERM REACTIONARY MINORITY TO COURT"
Tekin also reacted to the expression "reactionary minority" directed at those showing sensitivity towards Ramadan, announcing that he would take these words to court.
"In a country where 99% are Muslims, if they have the courage to call those who experience sensitivity towards Ramadan 'reactionary minority,' then as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, I am obliged to take this to court," Tekin expressed, stating that he believes the relevant individuals should apologize to society.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Against the Ministry of National Education's (MEB) circular on Ramadan activities, a text titled "We Defend Secularism Together" was penned with the signatures of 168 writers, artists, academics, journalists, and representatives of professional chambers. The text stated, "Defending secularism is not a crime. We defend secularism together, we reject the impositions of sharia!"