Pressure on children to fast... Controversial poster in Ümraniye: 'Don't eat fire!' poster sparks outrage among parents
A poster hung across from a primary school in Ümraniye that associated not fasting with "hellfire" was met with backlash from parents and educators. The poster, which was reported for potentially having a negative impact on children's psychology, was removed by the police.
12punto
In the Ümraniye district of Istanbul, posters reading "O Muslim Brother! Do Not Eat Fire!" were hung in various locations following the start of the month of Ramadan. One of these unsigned posters, which was placed directly across from Fatih Primary School, drew a strong reaction from parents.
According to reports by soL haber, the poster featured an image of a child holding a plate engulfed in flames. The content of the poster included statements suggesting that those who do not fast will be subjected to "hellfire."
REACTION FROM PARENTS AND EDUCATORS
The poster, which was criticized by educators and psychologists specifically for its potential to negatively affect children's psychology, also caused a stir on social media. Many users expressed their reaction to such content being hung in public spaces without oversight, stating that children should not be subjected to fear and pressure.
An education worker who did not wish to be named made the following assessment regarding the issue:
“Such posters are elements that disregard children's psychology and legitimize religious fear and pressure. In a constitutionally secular state structure, such religious propaganda tools should not be permitted in the vicinity of educational institutions.”
POSTER REMOVED AFTER COMPLAINTS
Acting upon complaints from parents and citizens, police teams removed the poster that had been hung across from the primary school. However, the fact that similar posters have been hung in different parts of the district indicates that the issue is not limited to a single incident.