Turkish Cypriots Protest Ankara’s Embrace of Political Islam

Thousands of Turkish Cypriots took to the streets of the capital Nicosia earlier this month to protest what they describe as Turkey’s growing efforts to impose political Islam and undermine the community’s secular traditions, Euronews reported. 

On Friday, demonstrations took place in the northern part of the ethnically divided capital, the latest in a series of protests that have gripped the island nation in recent weeks.  

The rallies – led by teachers’ unions and civil society groups – began last month after the right-wing Turkish Cypriot authorities lifted a ban on headscarves in high schools, but not on symbols of other religions. 

The decision sparked a backlash from many Turkish Cypriots, who accused Ankara of seeking to “deepen political Islam domination” and vowed to challenge the measure in court.

Political observers described the dispute as “a cultural clash” and part of an ongoing effort by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to change the strongly secular society.  

The demonstrations took place a day before Erdoğan’s visit to inaugurate a new government complex in northern Cyprus.  

On Saturday, the Turkish leader warned protesters not to “sow seeds of hatred,” adding that “If you try to mess with our girls’ headscarves … you will find us against you,” according to the Guardian. 

The Turkish president also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the island’s long-running division, calling it “the joint vision of Turkey and northern Cyprus.” 

The island has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey launched a military intervention following a coup backed by the Greek junta aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece. 

The Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third is recognized only by Ankara, which keeps around 35,000 troops there. 

Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the Greek Cypriot-controlled south, home to the island’s internationally recognized government, enjoys the full benefits of EU membership.