25.02.2026 13:11
President Erdoğan expressed support for the Ramadan Circular sent to schools by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, while reacting to the "We Defend Secularism Together" declaration published with the signatures of 168 individuals, including writers, academics, artists, journalists, and representatives of professional chambers. Erdoğan stated, "Their concern is not secularism, but the nation itself."
President Erdoğan reacted to the "We Defend Secularism Together" statement published with the signatures of 168 individuals, including writers, academics, artists, journalists, and representatives of professional chambers, while supporting the circular "Ramadan at the Heart of Education" sent by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin to schools at the AK Party group meeting.
SUPPORTED MINISTER TEKİN
Erdoğan, who supported Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin's Ramadan Circular, stated, "I want to emphasize a particular issue here. Our Ministry of National Education sent a letter to our 81 provinces for organizing various activities under the theme 'Ramadan at the Heart of Education' within the scope of our 'Turkey Century Education Model.' In this context, discussion programs will be organized for students, and iftar tables will be set up to strengthen school-family cooperation. Out-of-school learning environments will be prepared for our children to better learn and experience our national and spiritual values; qualities such as awareness of sharing, spirit of unity, justice, compassion, and patriotism will be instilled in our children. These activities will be carried out primarily on a voluntary basis. Secondly, these activities are undoubtedly events that have a constitutional basis. It is clearly stated in both the preamble and subsequent articles of our Constitution that every citizen has the right to develop their spiritual existence. Our Ministry of National Education has carried out such a beautiful work entirely on a voluntary basis to strengthen our students' national and spiritual values, in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to it by the Constitution."
REACTION TO THE SECULARISM STATEMENT
Erdoğan said, "A day before Ramadan, a group of fading bigots came out, published their stale 'Secularism is being lost' statements, spewing venom, and expressing hatred towards the nation from head to toe. They are not disturbed when Christmas decorations are made, nor are they disturbed when absurdities are staged under the guise of Halloween. We know very well the real reason for their discomfort. We know very well how they have oppressed this nation by hiding behind the concept of secularism. Their concern is not secularism; their concern is with the sanctities of this land, with its national and spiritual values. It is with the nation itself. Why does it disturb you that our children will learn to pray and fast? Why does it disturb you that our children are making Ramadan decorations? Why does it disturb you that our children are reciting hymns in unison? Stop hiding behind the concept of secularism. Stop beating around the bush and reveal what is on your mind. If anyone is disturbed, let them go and question their belonging to this homeland."
"THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SHOULD LOOK TO TURKEY AND LEARN"
Responding to criticisms of religious freedom, Erdoğan stated, "We are the children of a nation that has established great empires and built great civilizations. In the foundation of our great states that have brought peace to three continents throughout history, in the civilizations that have charted the course of the world, there is the Quran, there is love for the Prophet, there is faith, there is fasting. Ahmet Yesevi, Hacı Bektaş Veli, Yunus Emre, Mevlana, Ahmedi Hani, and many others have mixed the essence of this homeland and this nation with the loud voice of Islam. If they forget the call to prayer, if they forget the Quran, if they forget the Prophet, if they forget Yunus Emre, if they forget Hacı Bektaş, nothing, absolutely nothing will remain of this nation. No one should try to teach us about minority rights. No one should try to teach us about religious freedom. We are not a nation that will learn these values from outside. We are a nation that has taught these values to the world and will continue to teach them. We have been on this land for a thousand years. For a thousand years, there have been Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Alevis, Christians, Jews, and many others on this land. While different sects confirm each other in Europe, our ancestors established the unique balance of living together on this land. Those who want to see religious freedom should look to Turkey. They should learn. Those who want to see a just approach to different beliefs should look to Turkey. They should learn. We do not need to import foreign concepts or foreign values from outside. The legacy of the Seljuk State and the Ottoman Empire, the accumulation of Turkey is enough for us. We have infinite respect for every belief, every sect, and every spiritual value. We protect everyone's right to belief and worship. But we will also defend to the end the national and spiritual values that make this homeland a homeland. We will protect them to the end."
"THE NEWS OF THE MARTYR DEEPLY SADDENED US"
Speaking about the plane crash in Balıkesir, Erdoğan said, "Unfortunately, we received distressing news last night. Our F-16 aircraft, which took off from Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command and was on a mission flight, crashed, and our pilot was martyred. First of all, I wish God's mercy upon our heroic martyr, Air Pilot Major İbrahim Bolat, and I wish patience to his grieving family and relatives, and I extend my condolences to our Turkish Armed Forces and our esteemed nation. The news of the martyr deeply saddened us. Necessary investigations and inquiries have been initiated to determine the causes of the accident. May the soul of our martyred pilot be blessed, and may his place be in heaven."
WHAT HAPPENED?
168 writers, artists, academics, journalists, and representatives of professional chambers, including names such as Korkut Boratav, Oğuzhan Müftüoğlu, Hayri Kozanoğlu, Merdan Yanardağ, İlhan Cihaner, Melike Demirağ, Ayşe Kulin, Müjde Ar, Şükrü Erbaş, Rutkay Aziz, Canan Güllü, and Timur Soykan, penned a statement titled "We Defend Secularism Together," stating, "The political Islamist regime is dragging Turkey step by step into the reactionary swamp of the Middle East by clinging to the rope of the USA and Trump. Defending secularism is not a crime. We defend secularism together, we reject the impositions of the Sharia!"