http://www.press-citizen.com/The U.S. House Resolution 180 introduced March 17 and the Senate Resolution 196 introduced May 24 seek to demand that Turkey, bypassing its own Constitution and secular laws, grants special international privileges to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul. Since its establishment in 1923, the Turkish Republic has become one of the world's earliest model secular democracies with a predominantly Muslim population. This historic achievement of Turkey was because of a successful implementation of secular laws which ensured the separation of church and state, while protecting the freedom of faith. Specifically, Article 24 of the Turkish Constitution guarantees the citizens' rights for freedom of conscience, religious belief, conviction, worship, religious services, ceremonies and education in religion and ethics.
Located in a volatile region bridging Eastern Europe with the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Turkey remained committed to secular values and the freedom of faith for many decades. This commitment is a primary reason why Turkish society rejects extremist doctrines, instead practicing religious tolerance and advancing the interfaith understanding.
Hence, the U.S. Congress demand for a privileged treatment of a single religious congregation, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul, would constitute an unwarranted intervention in Turkey's sovereign religious affairs, thereby offending a long-time staunch U.S. ally.
Agshin Taghiyev
Iowa City
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