Turkey: Historic Greek Building Turned Into Islamic School

The article, citing information from newspaper “Erdek Turizm,” notes that the local authority of cultural heritage and provincial authorities had approved the building’s transformation into an imam-hatip school.

Local residents reported that extensive effort was made to open the facility for this school year, which starts next month. However, many expressed fear that the building’s historic identity might be lost.

The building was constructed in 1879 by the city’s former Greek inhabitants and was used as a school before being turned into a fishermen school. It was also used as a hospital during World War I and served as the Ataturk Primary School until 2007, before its closure.

Imam-hatip schools is a controversial issue in Turkey as a new regulation is forcing families to register their kids in religious schools in case they fail to succeed in other sectors.

On August 25, demonstrators gathered in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, protesting against the transformation of the building into an Islamic school.