President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who issued a written statement on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the inclusion of the principle of secularism in the Constitution, said that everyone’s freedom of religion was protected in a secular regime. Sezer said, “However, if individuals use their beliefs for political ends, this cannot be accepted.”

Sezer said that secularism was an important part of the rational and scientific approach, which constituted the basis of the Kemalist thought. Sezer stated, “Secularism is the guarantee of the freedom of religion and worship. In the absence of secularism no one can talk about freedom.” According to Sezer, secularism is the basis of democracy, therefore, it should not be distorted.