Freedom of Religion and Belief in Turkey / Progress in Mathematics (PDF)

"This is a timely book on the freedom of religion and belief in Turkey at a seminal point in its modern history. Using both international and domestic law, the book examines important issues relating to private beliefs, minority rights and their standing, as well as state involvement in religion and the impact on Turkey's secularity."
-Leonard Hammer, David and Andrea Stein Visiting Professor of Modern Israel Studies, University of Arizona, USA

"This volume will prove to be one of the most important contributions to the field of human rights, in general, and to freedom of religion and belief, in particular. Libraries and scholars should have it as a reference, as should judges, lawyers, and public administrators. University and college courses in public policy, philosophy, religion, or in comparative and international law will -find it very useful." -Winston Langley, Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

The freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, from which stem the tenets of pluralism, tolerance, and open-mindedness, are some of the most basic freedoms of a democratic society. This book illustrates the current state of the freedom of religion or belief in Turkey and the challenges and complex problems facing it, concentrating on the most topical issues: being compelled to reveal one's religion and beliefs on the national identity card; the right of conscientious objection and conscientious objectors; compulsory religious education; recognition of faith groups and the opening of places of worship; and using and wearing religious symbols and dress in the public sphere.

Özgür Heval Çinar is a lawyer and an associate professor at the University of Greenwich, School of Law and Criminology, UK.