"Kadima children, to the mosque": Erdogan's education program is causing a stir Israel today

Turkish president promotes educational project aimed at instilling Islamic values ​​in the country's younger generation from the age of six • Opponents of the plan say it contradicts the constitution

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan // Photo: AP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's struggle to turn his country from a secular republic built by modern Turkish founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk into a religious and authoritarian state is not new and has been conducted with caution and determination since Erdogan was elected prime minister two decades ago. 

But despite the tremendous efforts of the Erdogan administration and his party, the Justice and Development Party, surveys conducted among young people in recent years show a growing trend of secularism among young people, a move away from religious values ​​and a growing desire to immigrate to the West. 

The obvious trend has led the administration to the decision to invest more effort among children and adolescents in the country, from the age of six and up.

The plan that was designed was named "Kadima Children, to the Mosque" and it was widely criticized by the opposition in the country, claiming that it violates the constitution that requires the separation of religion from the education system. 

Asa Ophir, an expert in Turkish history and politics from Bar Ilan University, says of the program: "Erdogan said in 2012 that he intends to raise '' devout generations '', so he understands that he must start indoctrination from the youngest possible age. The program encourages children from the age of 6. To go to the mosques, to pray there, to know orally the different suras of the Koran. In order to encourage the children the program also carries prizes. For example, every time the child goes to the mosque he earns 2 points, if he manages to memorize a verse from the Koran he gets a point "And so on. The children score points and at the end do a ceremony and receive prizes."

"The plan has been sharply criticized by some in the country for claiming it contradicts the Turkish constitution (it should be remembered that under the second clause in the constitution Turkey is still defined as a 'secular' state), some said it was a cynical exploitation of young children for religious purposes," he said. Ofir. 

For many secular parents in Turkey this is a real declaration of war.

Maxot Belmok, secretary general of a professional teaching organization, expressed outrage at the program, calling it a "crime against the Turkish constitution." "We suffer from religious abuse of children due to a lack of oversight of religious organizations that do as they please," Belmok said.