Academic discourse: ‘Separation of religion from state crucial for democracy’
Discuss student and teacher exchange programme between UoP and Marmara University Istanbul.
Dr Noori of the Marmara University Istanbul said the Muslim world should learn from Turkey’s mistakes and not repeat them. DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI
PESHAWAR:
For a democracy to flourish, it is imperative the affairs of the state be separated from religion, said Dr Ali Muray Yel of Marmara University Istanbul on Tuesday.
Addressing participants of a seminar titled ‘State, Religion and Democracy’ held at the University of Peshawar (UoP), Dr Yel explained the success of Turkey’s model of governance lies in the separation of religion from state activities.
Built on the ashes of the Ottaman Empire in 1923, Turkey adopted a militant form of secularism in which religion was under the control of the state, explained Dr Yel.
However, with a regime change in 2002, Turkey had done away with the hostile form of secularism and now religious views are respected by the country.
Dr Noori of the Marmara University Istanbul said the Muslim world should learn from Turkey’s mistakes and not repeat them.
Replying to a question posed by a student about secularism in Pakistan, Dr Noori said the only way it can be achieved is through providing mandatory modern higher education to the citizens.
The seminar was arranged by UoP in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Security Studies Islamabad. Students and faculty of the Department of International Relations, Political Science and Sociology were in attendance.
The visiting Turkish professors later called on UoP Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan and discussed various future projects of exchange of students and teachers between UoP and Marmara University Istanbul.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2013.
For a democracy to flourish, it is imperative the affairs of the state be separated from religion, said Dr Ali Muray Yel of Marmara University Istanbul on Tuesday.
Addressing participants of a seminar titled ‘State, Religion and Democracy’ held at the University of Peshawar (UoP), Dr Yel explained the success of Turkey’s model of governance lies in the separation of religion from state activities.
Built on the ashes of the Ottaman Empire in 1923, Turkey adopted a militant form of secularism in which religion was under the control of the state, explained Dr Yel.
However, with a regime change in 2002, Turkey had done away with the hostile form of secularism and now religious views are respected by the country.
Dr Noori of the Marmara University Istanbul said the Muslim world should learn from Turkey’s mistakes and not repeat them.
Replying to a question posed by a student about secularism in Pakistan, Dr Noori said the only way it can be achieved is through providing mandatory modern higher education to the citizens.
The seminar was arranged by UoP in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Security Studies Islamabad. Students and faculty of the Department of International Relations, Political Science and Sociology were in attendance.
The visiting Turkish professors later called on UoP Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan and discussed various future projects of exchange of students and teachers between UoP and Marmara University Istanbul.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2013.