The constitution of 1982 reaffirms the secular nature of the Turkish state, which had been established by Kemal Attaturk in the 1920’s. The constitution empowers the Department of Religious Affairs to handle affairs between the government and religious communities, but specifies that it shall do so in accordance with the principles of secularism "removed from all political views and ideas" seeking national solidarity and integrity (Article 136). The constitution guarantees the right of freedom of conscience, religious belief and conviction and stipulates that acts of worship may be conducted freely. It is forbidden to use religious doctrine for political purposes or "for even partially basing the fundamental social, economic, political, and legal order of the state on religious tenets." Education and instruction in religion are conducted under the supervision of the state. Religious and moral instruction is compulsory in the primary and secondary schools(Article 24). Religious services may take place only in designated places of worship.
The religious situation in Turkey is complicated by the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, the division between Sunni and Shiite, particularly Alawi Muslims, Turkey’s rocky relationship with Greece (The Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church is in Istanbul) and the existence of several historical Christian communities in Turkey.
Islamic fundamentalism does not recognize the difference between secular and religious spheres and would like to see Turkey become an Islamic state governed by Islamic law. Therefore the government looks with suspicion upon their activities. There is no particular law against proselytizing, but religious activists may be arrested by the police for disturbing the peace. The 1996 US State Department Report on Human Rights says that these cases are usually dismissed.
There are about 12 million Alawi Muslims in Turkey. Many of them feel that the Department of Religious Affairs is biased toward Sunni beliefs. There are government-salaried Sunni religious leaders. There are no government-salaried Alawi religious leaders. The Alawi religious community receives no funds from the Religious Affairs Directorate. Religious instruction classes in schools include no Alawi beliefs. The director tends to view the Alawi minority as a cultural rather than a religious group.
Authorities monitor the activities of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church has been seeking to reopen a seminary on the island of Halki which was closed by the government in the 1970’s. According to the 1997 US State Department Report on Religious Freedom, there have numerous press attacks on the Orthodox patriarch in the past several years. Harassment in the form of graffiti and stones being thrown over the walls of the patriarchate has occurred. In September 1996, someone threw a hand-grenade over the wall of the patriarchate causing minor damage.
In addition to the Eastern Orthodox Church, Turkey also has Armenian, Syriac and Jewish minority communities. According to the Treaty of Lausanne, the Jewish, Armenian and Orthodox communities are exempt from Muslim religious instruction. They must present written verification of their non-Muslim background. The Syriac Church is not officially recognized as a Lausanne Treaty minority. However, the US State Department Report on Religious Freedom states that, according to a church official, because they are not mentioned in the treaty, they are not forced to follow any religious curriculum. The Armenian community has reported harassment of churches and increasing encroachment on land held by Armenians by Muslim extremists. The government has intensified security in these areas.
The Jewish, Armenian and Orthodox communities are in danger of losing a number of church properties because of a law which states that "extinct" properties--buildings which have had a prolonged absence of clergy or lay persons or a lack of adherents--revert to the government.
The state must approve the operation of churches, monasteries, synagogues, schools and charitable religious foundations. Churches not recognized as minorities by the Lausanne Treaty may not acquire additional property for churches. The Catholic Church in Ankara is limited to operating on diplomatic property. In December of 1996, a pipe bomb exploded in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Istanbul.
Evangelical Christians who proselytize may be arrested for disturbing the peace. If they are foreigners, they may be deported. The state department reports that they generally may reenter the country easily. Iraqi and Irani converts to Christianity who have fled to Turkey seeking asylum are generally deported to their home countries, where they risk reprisals.
A new Turkish government was formed in 1996 and has tried to improve relationships with religious minorities. It granted the Armenian patriarchate permission to rebuild a church in Anatolia and indicated that it would approve other such requests. In March 1996, when Hillary Clinton visited Turkey, she, the US Ambassador and other US officials, convened an ecumenical meeting of religious leaders to promote religious tolerance.
Turkey has a greater degree of religious freedom than the majority of countries in the Middle East.
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Turkey
1998 Alleanza Catolica Religious Freedom in the Majority Islamic Countries Report on Turkey
International Christian Concern Report on Turkey
Turkey orders sermons on women's rights WorldWide Religious News 5/09/04
Turkish military vows to defend secularism WorldWide Religious News 4/13/04
Turkey Shows Itself As Muslim Democracy WorldWide Religious News 4/13/04
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