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Principle of Secularism to Be Preserved in New Turkish Constitution

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Turkey's secular character will be preserved in the country's new constitution, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Wednesday.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — On Monday, Turkish parliamentary speaker Ismail Kahraman said that the new constitution should not continue the tradition of separating the state from religious institutions, calling for references to secularism to be stripped from its constitution in favor of Islamic principles. The statement provoked sharp criticism from the opposition.

"Secularism today is no longer a topic for discussion. In the newly prepared draft constitution, the secular principle will be preserved," Davutoglu said, speaking to the heads of the regional branches of the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Riot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a protest against parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman, outside the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey April 26, 2016. - Sputnik International
Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters Near Turkish Parliament
Turkey's first constitution was adopted in 1921 under the influence of the first president of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who abolished the Sultanate and adopted the principles of secularization and modernization. It was modified in 1924, and later in 1961, before the current version was adopted in 1982.

In its founding principles, the 1982 constitution enshrines the principles that Turkey is a secular, democratic republic.  Article 4 of the constitution bans any modifications to these founding principles.

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