YÖK issues Friday prayer directive to universities

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has sent an official letter to all universities requesting that necessary flexibility be shown in work schedules and educational activities to ensure that academic and administrative staff, as well as students, can perform their Friday prayers. 

The letter requested that care be taken to ensure that course, exam, and practical session hours do not conflict with Friday prayer times.

The letter cited the Prime Ministry Circular published in the Official Gazette dated January 8, 2016, which established that public employees who wish to attend Friday prayers should be granted permission without loss of working hours. Furthermore, the letter underscored similar warnings previously sent by YÖK to universities.

YÖK officials emphasized that the protection of both the right to education and the freedom of religion and conscience is guaranteed by the Constitution, and that it is mandatory for universities to be sensitive to these fundamental rights when determining course and exam schedules. The regulation stated that planning in academic calendars and exam schedules should not pose an obstacle to individuals' freedom of worship.

The letter included the following statement: "I request that necessary actions be taken to re-evaluate regulations concerning working hours, courses, exams, and practical sessions in higher education institutions that may conflict with Friday prayer times, with an approach that considers both the practical exercise of freedom of religion and conscience and the continuity of educational activities; and that such activities be planned in a way that does not disrupt worship performed during Friday prayer hours, and that necessary administrative measures be taken."

News Source: 12punto