"The State of Religious Liberty in Turkey
Interview With R.M.T. Schmid of the Becket Institute
ROME, NOV. 26, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Christian churches in Turkey want more religious freedom, even as they realize that the country's secularism might also be a bulwark against radical Islam, says an observer.
Raphaela M.T. Schmid, the Rome director of the Becket Institute for Religious Liberty, offered that assessment in this interview.
Schmid just returned from Istanbul where she spoke with religious authorities and government officials who will be meeting with Benedict XVI later this week.
Q: What is the state of religion in Turkey?
Schmid: Turkey is not really an Islamic country, even if it is over 99% Muslim and mosque attendance is going up. "
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