Parent who protested school bell being replaced with a religious hymn detained: 'Like a hardened criminal'

Parent who protested school bell being replaced with a religious hymn detained

Soner Akbal, a parent who protested the replacement of the recess bell with the religious hymn "Hacılar in the Kaaba" at Kocaeli Derince Çenesuyu Secondary School by saying, "Then they should play religious folk songs during the 12 Imams fast as well. Is this the Kaaba?", was detained in Istanbul. It was learned that Akbal was detained while visiting family.

It was learned that although Akbal had already been summoned to give a statement to the Kocaeli Police tomorrow, he was detained in the evening hours regardless.

The development was announced by CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir.

Emir used the following expressions in his social media post:

"Soner Akbal, a parent who protested the replacement of the recess bell with the religious hymn "Hacılar in the Kaaba" at Kocaeli Derince Çenesuyu Secondary School by saying, "Then they should play religious folk songs during the 12 Imams fast as well. Is this the Kaaba?", was detained at his mother-in-law's house in Istanbul like a hardened criminal! 

What is this grudge, what is this rush? 

This citizen had already been told to come to the Kocaeli Police Department tomorrow and give his statement. He is not a fugitive, he is not a criminal!

Your concern is not the law; your concern is to intimidate every voice that points out your mistakes and does not remain silent with a "dawn" operation!"

Kocaeli Derince Çenesuyu Ortaokulu’nda teneffüs zilinin “Kabe’de hacılar” ilahisiyle değiştirilmesine, “12 İmamlar orucunda da o zaman deyiş çalsınlar. Burası Kabe mi?” diyerek tepki gösteren veli Soner Akbal, azılı bir suçlu gibi İstanbul’da kayınvalidesinin evinde gözaltına…

— Murat Emir (@muratemirchp) February 25, 2026

News Source: 12punto