Istanbul, Turkey - Istanbul 5th administrative tribunal has adjudicated that mandatory religion courses are against freedom of belief.
A father called Ali Kenanoglu who is a partisan of Caliph Ali, had brought a suit against the government for forcing his 10 year old son to join the mandatory religion course at school.
Court's decision said: "Due to 24th article of the Constitution and the 9th clause of Human Rights Agreement everyone in this country has the right for freedom of belief.Again in the 24th article of the Constitution it says that those who don't belong to Islam religion are exempt from mandatory religion courses in schools. Since the plaintiff is a partisan of Caliph Ali, his son does not have to join the mandatory religion course at his school.