A significant political controversy has erupted in Turkey, with the leader of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, demanding the dismissal of Education Minister Yusuf Tekin. The call for action follows Tekin’s declaration of continued collaboration with Islamic cults in the country.
Background of the Controversy
During recent budget discussions in the Turkish Parliament, Minister Yusuf Tekin stated that the Ministry of National Education would maintain its existing protocols with around 10 Islamic cults and organizations, which he referred to as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This declaration has raised alarms within the opposition, particularly among members of the CHP.
Özel’s Accusations and Call for Dismissal
Özel, leading the charge against Tekin, argued that the minister’s stance is a challenge to the Turkish Constitution. He also accused the ruling party, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of not learning from past mistakes, particularly in relation to their previous affiliations with the Gülen movement. The Gülen movement, also known as the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), is infamously associated with the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Özel contends that the current government’s willingness to collaborate with religious cults could have dire consequences, similar to their previous entanglement with FETÖ.
The Ministry’s Standpoint and Public Response
In defense of the protocols, Tekin argued that collaborations with these groups are necessary to prevent children from joining terrorist organizations. He stressed that the number of such agreements is minimal compared to the total number of protocols the ministry holds, which amounts to 2,709. Despite this rationale, the opposition remains staunchly critical, pointing to the potential risks and historical precedents of such collaborations.
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