The Use of Religious Symbols at Turkish Universities

Abstract

This paper shows that although Turkey is formally a laic state, Islam has de facto the statusof a state religion. Therefore, the Turkish state cannot remain neutral in religious matters.Under the current Turkish government Islam has consolidated its position and its symbolshave become visible in the public space. Religious symbols, such as mosques, prayer roomsand headscarves, are spreading at Turkish universities. Current developments show theabsurdity of the concept of Turkish secularism, which originally means the constitutionalseparation of church and state.