Erdogan rejects opposition criticism

ISTANBUL:

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday defended a directive introducing Ramazan-related activities in public schools, rejecting criticism from opponents who said the move undermined Turkey's secular principles.

Education Minister Yusuf Tekin issued a circular ordering schools from preschool to high school nationwide to organise religious activities during the Muslim holy month.

Critics say that has opened a fault-line in Turkey, a constitutionally secular state. They accuse the government of seeking to Islamise the education system and erode the separation of religion and state.

Erdogan told lawmakers from his Islamic-rooted AKP party in parliament: "What has been done is right, appropriate, lawful, and ... a highly beneficial service that reflects the sentiments of our nation."

Schools would organise discussion programmes and fast-breaking dinners aimed at strengthening school-family cooperation, he said, adding that participation would be voluntary.