10/29/2018 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Turkey continues to make rapid progress at incorporating Islam into the educational structure, further complicating the challenges faced by Christian students. In just fifteen years, the number of Imam Hatip Schools have increased from 450 to 4,112. The number of pre-school Koran classes continue to rise and just this year, the Diyanet has appointed 559 spiritual guides in universities.
Although Turkey is the location of much of the New Testament, the number of Turkish Christians present today is quite small. Many are individuals who converted from Islam within the past few decades, which increases the pressure faced by their children. Even as Turkey increases its Islamic religious education for kids, Christians are technically not allowed to discuss their faith with someone under the age of eighteen.
Many Turkish Christians have expressed concerns that whereas before the 2016 coup attempt believers existed within a legal gray area, the environment is increasingly become more black and white regarding religious freedom.
For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
