General leader of the Republican People's (CHP) Party, Deniz Baykal, yesterday accused the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party of wanting to carry religion over into Turkish education, justice, politics, and social life. Warned Baykal at a meeting of a parliamentary group in Ankara yesterday, "They are looking for ways to create a Turkish life and appearance more marked by the stamp of Islam."

Parts of Baykal's speech are as follows:
 
"...There are critical games being played with Turkey these days, but the administration, amidst all these problems, is trying to reduce the age of youngsters attending Koran courses, and to this end is bringing about laws which will encourage the Koran courses. They are trying to bring the 'imam hatip' (religious high schools) schools to the level of organizations which can prepare students for university.....They are counting on first filling the universities with turbans, and then governmental organizations. This is what they want to force Turkey to accept."