“You will not divide the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace!”
The President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Solidarity Association (BTTDD), Hasan Küçük, strongly criticized Greece’s new regulation introducing a “Bektashi-Alevi Course” in minority schools, calling it a direct violation of the minority education status guaranteed under international treaties.
In a written statement, Küçük said:
"According to media reports, following the law recognizing Bektashi-Alevi kinsmen as a separate religious legal entity, the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs has launched a new initiative targeting the minority education system. This move aims to introduce a ‘Bektashi-Alevi Course’ in both state and minority schools. However, such an implementation clearly violates the minority education status safeguarded by the Treaty of Lausanne and bilateral agreements."
Details of the Regulation
In state schools, at least 10 students will be required to open the course, while in minority schools no minimum number will be needed.
A written request from students or parents will suffice to establish the course.
Classes will be taught by teachers affiliated with the “Bektashi-Alevi Muslims of Thrace” legal entity or religious instructors under the “Law of 240 Imams.”
Educational materials will be prepared by the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP), thereby excluding textbooks supplied from Turkey that are traditionally used in minority schools.
Minority Leaders React
Representatives of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority stressed that the measure seeks to divide the community along sectarian lines and undermines the autonomy of minority education.
Küçük concluded his statement with a firm message:
"Once again, I declare: no matter what you do, you will not divide the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace! As the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Solidarity Association, we are following developments with concern and call on all parties to respect the provisions of the Lausanne Treaty."
