Uzbekistan issues 'religious indoctrination' warning to its citizens in Turkey: It could lead to ideological conflicts

Uzbekistan has issued a warning for its citizens living in Turkey.

As one of the countries that took action against schools belonging to FETÖ, Uzbekistan has warned parents to be careful regarding the religious education of Uzbek children attending private schools in Turkey.

According to a report by Fuad Safarov from Medya Günlüğü, a statement released via the Uzbekistan Consulate General in Istanbul's Telegram channel warned Uzbek families in Turkey that teachers in some schools might instill radical views during religious classes that are contrary to moderate Islam.

The statement from the Consulate General of Uzbekistan is as follows:

“Schools that teach children foreign languages, robotics, computer science, and physical education are being actively advertised and promoted on social media. However, at the same time, religious classes are also being held in these schools. Although the religious lessons in these educational institutions are based on the Ahl al-Sunnah (believers in Prophet Muhammad) faith, the fact that some teachers instill religious views contrary to moderate Islam could lead to ideological conflicts in our society in the future.”

The Consulate General asked parents to protect their minor children against the indoctrination of fanatical views in schools.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

Following the deterioration of relations between Tashkent and Ankara in 1993, the Uzbek administration withdrew approximately 2 thousand of its students receiving higher education in Turkey. At that time, Tashkent had accused Uzbek opposition leaders in Turkey of trying to influence Uzbek students.

In the 1990s, numerous schools belonging to FETÖ were opened in Russia and Central Asian countries. In 2000, Uzbekistan became the first country to completely ban these schools.

In 2014, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with then-President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Immediately afterward, Ankara appointed an ambassador to Tashkent. Following this development, on July 10, 2014, then-Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu visited Uzbekistan, and a process of normalization began in bilateral relations. 

News Source: 12punto