On the evening of April 8, more than 13,000 Turko-kipriots gathered in the center of the occupied part of Nicosia to protest against the initiative of the ruling coalition to legalize the wearing of hijabs and other religious elements of clothing in public schools in the north of the island.
The action has become the largest in recent years and united representatives of various political forces, trade unions and the public. Among the participants are the leader of the opposition party of CTP and presidential candidate Tufan Erhurman, former leader of Turko-Kiprotov Mustafa Akyndi, as well as ex-converters in Cyprus settlement Ozili and Kudret Ozeri.
“I am here to declare: Turko-kipriots must have the right to free will. I came to say “no” to political suppression, ”said Mustafa Akyndi.
One of the most striking moments is the performance of Tahir Hececel, the Secretary General of the Union of Teachers of secondary schools (KTOEOS), who turned to the police at the gates of the residence of Ersin Tatar:
“We just came to shout at the president. Would you let us in? "
After the refusal, he made a speech right at the entrance:
“The president who does not represent the will of the people cannot speak on his behalf. The will of this society - here it is, in front of you! " He exclaimed, pointing to the thousandth crowd.
Scandration "Cyprus is a secular state and will remain so!" The streets of Tanzimat and Jemal Gursel spread through the streets, covering the entire old city. It is noteworthy that Rauf Denctash, the grandson of the first leader of Turco-Kiprotov, who previously supported the ruling coalition, also participated in the action. However, this time he sided with the opposition, along with his father, Serdar Denctash, the son of the founder of TRSK. A descendant of Fazil Kuchuk, the first vice president of the Republic of Cyprus, was also noticed in the crowd.
On the impromptu scene installed by the building of the "parliament" opposite the Turkish embassy, the leaders of trade unions turned to the assembled. Selma Aile, the head of the Teachers Trade Union, was the first:
“We again went to the square to protect secularism, our schools, our girls, our women and the future of our children. Those who made this decision no longer represent us. Resign on! "
Mustafa Baibor, the leader of the KTOS trade union, spoke behind it:
“We are dealing with the government that robs the country and acts on the direction. It is known for false diplomas, corruption and bribery. They are champions in moral decline! "
He sharply condemned the politicization of religion, adding:
“We will never allow religion to become an instrument of power. Cyprus is a secular state and will remain like this! ”
He also turned to the so -called “Minister of Education” by Nazim Chavushoglu with a rhetorical question:
“Are you planning to introduce lessons according to Sharia law? If yes - resign! "
In conclusion, he referred to protests in Turkey and the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu:
“Teachers do not bow. Teachers do not ask. Teachers teach lessons. As Ekrem said - everything will be fine! "
The mass demonstration in Nicosia demonstrated serious public resistance to attempts to impose religious norms in the education system. For many Turko-Kipriots, secularism is not just a political position, but part of the national identity and cultural heritage. The protest became not only an expression of discontent, but also a call to preserve freedom, enlightenment and democracy.
Source: Cyprus-Mail.com
