"Compulsory religion course" proposal from AKP writer: It should be gradual from primary school to university

When the Imam-Hatip practices in education, which the AKP made intense efforts within the scope of its policies of religiousizing social life, did not yield sufficient results, incredible suggestions began to come from religious circles.

Resul Tosun, one of the writers of the pro-government Star newspaper and the 22nd Term AKP Tokat Deputy, wrote in his column today (September 13, 2026), saying, "It cannot be said that the expected success has been achieved in a quarter of a century regarding the religious generation targeted by President Erdoğan," and wrote about the steps he sees as missing.

Tosun said, "The removal of obstacles to Imam-Hatip schools, the end of dress code restrictions, the elimination of coefficient tyranny, and the inclusion of Sira an-Nabi and the Holy Quran as elective courses in schools are, of course, developments that should not be underestimated." He continued: "But when we look at the results, we see that this practice is not sufficient to raise a religious generation."

Tosun stated that among nearly 20 million students, the rate of Imam Hatip students is 14 percent at the secondary school level and 10 percent at the high school level, and that the rate of the remaining 80 percent of students choosing the Sira and Quran courses is 12 percent at the secondary school level and 3.5 percent at the high school level.

Stating that he was aware of the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin's efforts on this issue and congratulated him, Tosun said, "However, we would like to remind you again that it is known that students in general do not have sufficient religious knowledge in primary and secondary education, and that authentic Islamic information is not given in higher education other than theology."

"GRADE BY STAGE UP TO THE FINAL YEAR OF UNIVERSITY..."

The AKP writer then clearly expressed his "solution" on the issue with the following statements:

"It is a bitter truth that while our state takes precautions considering the physical safety and health of children, it leaves the spiritual world unprotected against abusers.

That's why I say that we should gradually consider true Islam as a compulsory lesson for our children, from primary school to the last year of university, both to protect our children against abuse and to strengthen the security of our country."