More protests against introduction of Islamic schools here

[iancrumpy]

Various political and cultural groups marched together to the Ministry of Education in Lefkoşa today to protest about the foundations being laid on Friday for the first Islamic school to be in TRNC. The protestors feel that the Hala Sultan İlahiyat Koleji is all part of Ankara's agenda for TRNC.

The protestors shouted "Sharia AKP, UBP collaborators, we believe in what Darwin said, we believe in evolution". In case you didn't know, AKP is the party in power in Turkey, and UBP is the party in power here.

Hala Sultan İlahiyat Koleji literally means Aunt Sultan Theological School. [ Sultan, by the way, breastfed the prophet Mohammed.] The school will be for middle-school-aged and high school students. It is not clear from the article below if the sexes will be segregated, though in similar schools on the mainland they are indeed taught in separate classes.

The protestors feel that bringing such a school here is likely to create further division between the TC and mainlander communities. This is because the nature of the school and its very low fees are likely to appeal particularly to those Turkish mainland families who have settled here. However the protestors also feel that this is all part of the AKP's attempts for TCs as well to become stricter Muslims.

Source : http://www.haberkktc.com/haber/-hala-su ... 42315.html

[Marions]

Interesting. i often wonder who is frightened of what and why. i remember when I was at Uni in the heart of Wales and we got money from the Sultan of Brunei in exchange for which a 'mosque' was built in lampeter (well the basement of a building, but a mosque). Great outcry from church and chapel alike, but the uni carried on and the mosque is still there. But as so many new mosques are being built here I am not surpriosed at the idea of a school (shades of Church of England schools in U.K). But what do others think?

[iancrumpy]

Hi Marion,
If this school is to be like the Imam Hatip Schools on the mainland then the girls will be required to wear headscarves. At the very least they will want the girls to dress conservatively. With more girls or women dressed as the İlahiyat Koleji female students will be dressed, it means that less-conservatively-dressed women (as TC women more typically dress) could well be intimidated for being less chaste.

[iancrumpy]

I think though TCs are a little paranoid when it comes to any investment or initiative from Ankara - that together with the mainlanders becoming more successful here (through hard work on the whole!) makes the TCs feel as though they are losing control of the place

[Marions]

I understand how the locals feelthey are losing out and many feel they are losing their TC identity, but i would hate to see unnecessary restrictions (which are not truly Koranic law) and women being forced to do the very things which Ataturk liberated them from! Walking backwards is never a good thing. But..... I really do not know enough of these scools. Should inform myself I guess.

[smithscorner]

Personally I find the mix of cultures, religions, backgrounds etc is what helps make the way of life in the TRNC so appealing and therefore welcome a diversity of educational opportunities, as long as none seek to become dominant or have undue influence on other peoples lives.

[Marions]

I think it is the latter part of your statement that is a potential frightener to people - just as it was in Wales when they put a small mosque. Balance is what we all want, but it does not always happen. But.....

[mamachina]

Never mind the school - what about the LARGE mosque - many tc's and others are not happy about that and consider it money not well spent!! How full are the mosques here I wonder - is there a NEED for either the mosque or the school? Or as Ian said is it all a nod in the direction of Turkey - look at us, we are good Muslims etc etc. Bit worrying for some I imagine - just as they began to think they were a secular society (Turkey and here) it all seems to be changing - they'll be talking Sharia law next! Im all for more schools - but international teaching and teachers, not single sex, multi culteral, multi religious and all the other multis!! (Shows my age!!)

[Keithcaley]

...what about the LARGE mosque - many tc's and others are not happy about that and consider it money not well spent!!...

Well, it is their own money that they're spending - preumably trying to 'Buy their way into Heaven'...

[iancrumpy]

"it is their own money that they're spending"
It is indeed "their" money Keith, but whose exactly? - It is not clear as to where the money for Near East University's mosque is coming from - almost certainly Turkey, and many think it could even be of Fethullah Gülen's doing. Such outside interference in their affairs disturbs many TCs

Have a read of this wiki article on the said man:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fethullah_G%C3%BClen

[Dalartokat]

Ian, I made reference yesterday to the Gulen movement on another forum that you have posted the same subject.

I agree everyone should be aware of their influence.

[Marions]

As I said earlier it was the Sultan of Brunei who gave the money for the mosque in Lampeter, Wales as he also gave money for the uni to continue to function. What was the major interest, I wonder. Education or conversion! The marchof Islam is frightening to some, and it does seem a shame that the secular society of Turkey and here seems to be changing into something more fundamental and that IS frightening.
as to who goes into the mosques, I think in the main the answer is 'not many'. And also when the call toprayer comes, how many people whip out a prayer mat and fall to their kness? So, why all these mosques when the faith is not there.
It is a bit scarey

[BLUE BUTTERFLY]

What are you all scared of? Let's keep things in perspective. Every day there are new bars/discos being opened in the TRNC, does that mean someone is trying to turn us all into alcoholics?

If people do not want to go into the mosques, or practice Islam, then they simply will not.

I am married to a TC and live amongst them, I have yet to see one of them being dragged kicking and screaming into a mosque at the call to prayer.

If someone with loads of money wishes to build, for whatever reason, what is a beautiful, to me, building, then that is his/her choice, better a mosque than a parade of empty, glass fronted shops, or half finished grey apartments.

[Mel7348]

Well said - BLUE BUTTERFLY.