Don't Be Afraid Of Secularism... - Worldcrunch“Turkey defines secularism as the principle that the state is equidistant from all religions. Secularism is definitely not atheism. I recommend that Egypt too adopt a secular constitution.” These are the words of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a high-profile Egyptian television interview during his first visit to Egypt since the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime.
After landing to an enthusiastic welcome in Cairo, Erdogan spoke to Mona el Sali, Egypt’s most famous talk show host. His emphasis was on the issue of secularism and his comment in the taped interview that “secularism doesn’t mean being opposed to religion” caused a stir in the Islamic world, particularly in Egypt which is debating whether a new constitution should be secular or religious in nature.
“Secularism is definitely not atheism. I, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, am Muslim, not secular. But I am the prime minister of a secular country. In a secular regime people have the freedom to be religious or not,” he continued. “Don’t be afraid of secularism. I hope the new regime in Egypt will be secular.”
In Egypt the Turkish PM also visited the leader of the Coptic Christians and invited him to Turkey
Turkish PM meets Coptic leader - AKPARTI ENGLISH
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