28.02.2026 10:00
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin spoke for the first time about the recitation of the "predecessor's oath" to young students at a middle school in Istanbul. Minister Tekin stated, "I find it very natural for there to be a few wrong practices among hundreds of thousands of events. As they reach us, we are doing what is necessary. Our colleagues will definitely take the necessary actions regarding this issue."
Following the letter from the Ministry of National Education regarding the organization of events titled "Ramadan at the Heart of Education" in schools, on February 23, a "Salafi oath" was recited to young students at Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Imam Hatip Middle School located in the Arnavutköy district of Istanbul. After the footage, the Istanbul Directorate of National Education initiated an investigation, and the Ministry of National Education announced that an inspector had been assigned to the matter and necessary administrative actions had been initiated. Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin spoke about the issue for the first time.
"WE ARE DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY"
Speaking to BBC Turkish, Minister Tekin criticized the practice of reciting the Salafi oath to students at a middle school in Istanbul, stating that measures are taken when similar complaints are received, and he used the following expressions:
"Hundreds of thousands of events have been held in over 75,000 schools. Among these hundreds of thousands of events, there are three or five things, not exceeding the fingers of one hand, that we would all criticize. As they reach us, we are already doing what is necessary. Our colleagues will definitely do what is required regarding the incident you mentioned. I find it very natural for there to be three or five such wrong practices within such a large pool of events. When it reaches us, we immediately take our precautions on this matter."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
At Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Imam Hatip Middle School located in the Arnavutköy district of Istanbul, young students were recited the "Salafi oath." The footage related to this oath used by the Tawhid and Sunnah Community was shared on the community's social media account with the statements, "This image is not just a slogan sharing; it is the most concrete evidence that the invitation efforts, which have been carried out with great patience and determination for years, have reached the most minute veins of society." The ministry had announced that an investigation had been initiated regarding the matter.