Protesters in Cyprus rally against the enacted hijab law, voicing concerns over potential Islamization and alleged corruption scandals as President Erdogan pays a visit.
In the bustling streets of Nicosia, thousands of Turkish Cypriots took to the streets last Friday, rallying against a recent regulation that allows Islamic headscarves in secondary schools. This ruling, implemented in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), known only as a sovereign entity by Turkey, has ignited a fiery backlash, perceived as an attempt to enforce religious and political influence over the breakaway north.
The newly-introduced March regulation grants high school students the freedom to don hijabs, while middle schools maintain their autonomy in the matter. The controversial decision came after a viral video surfaced, showing a hijab-wearing eighth-grader being denied school entry, causing public outrage.
Detractors view this measure as a direct assault on the region's secularism, as most Muslims choose not to openly practice their faith. Burak Mavis, the head of the teachers' union, explained to the AFP, "Granting exceptions to religious symbols threatens children's holistic development." The protest was backed by civil society leaders, opposition figures, and over a hundred organizations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who made a visit to northern Cyprus yesterday, strongly defended the regulation. "Touch the girls' headscarves," he warned, "and you'll find us opposing you." His ally, TRNC leader Ersin Tatar, insists the law upholds students' rights.
Erdogan's visit, his first since his reelection, aimed to demonstrate Turkey's support for the TRNC through the inauguration of a luxurious, Ankara-funded government complex. However, the event was overshadowed by the 1 May assassination of Cemil Onal in the Netherlands.
Onal, a former aide to a slain casino boss, accused Ankara-linked officials of transforming northern Cyprus into a hub for illegal gambling and money laundering. His murder rekindled concerns that Erdogan's expanding influence in the TRNC extends beyond religion, encompassing silencing dissent and shielding corruption.
Also Read: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President, Greek Cypriot leader hold talks on Cyprus issue
Enrichment: The controversy revolves around lifting the ban on Islamic headscarves (hijabs) in secondary schools, introduced by the Turkish Cypriot authorities in March 2025. The policy is seen as an attempt by Turkey's ruling AKP party to impose political Islam on a predominantly secular society, threatening secular values. Opponents argue it forms part of a broader effort to align Turkish Cypriot society with Ankara's political agenda, labeled as "social engineering." While proponents argue it is about freedom, critics maintain it is not simply about freedom but about imposing political Islam as part of a larger political strategy. The controversy highlights Turkey's influence over the TRNC, politically divides society, and could impact stalled peace talks between the divided parts of Cyprus.
- In response to the controversy, various news outlets have published reports featuring interviews with civil society leaders and opposition figures, discussing their concerns about the official implementation of the March regulation.
- The ensuing protests, backed by over a hundred organizations, have been covered extensively in general news, documenting the protestors' demands for the preservation of secularism in education-and-self-development.
- Meanwhile, international organizations such as the United Nations have issued reports expressing concerns about the war-and-conflicts potential implications of the political maneuverings in Cyprus, particularly regarding the un grievances about rights violations caused by political interference.
- The Turkish President's investigation into the allegations of crime-and-justice involving Ankara-linked officials in northern Cyprus has become a major component of the broader politics discussion, raising questions about the government's intentions and economical affairs.
- The recent assassination of Cemil Onal in the Netherlands has brought up high-level discussions about cooperation between the UN and Cyprus leaders, aiming to address war-and-conflicts issues and tackle corruption within the system.
- The ongoing debates over the hijabs regulation have sparked increased interest in educational policies related to war-and-conflicts and politics, shedding light on the complex dynamics between Turkish Cypriots, the government, and international bodies as it pertains to the protection of secularism and individual rights.
- During his visit, the Turkish President delivered a news conference, emphasizing the official stance of the changes made to the education system – highlighting them as a matter of students' rights and self-expression – and called on critics to respect people's choices within the framework of the country's politics.
- The ensuing elections in the coming months are expected to bring about major changes to the politics landscape of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with both supporters and opponents of the regulation keeping a close eye on the election news and seeking to influence the outcome as they aim to secure self-development and justice for the general public.
