(Kathimerini) And suddenly, the occupied territories filled with demonstrators. Turkish Cypriots took to the streets — and stayed there. For two months now, an unprecedented wave of protests has been ongoing against the Islamification of their society and in favor of preserving the secular character of their community.
It all started in March, when the conservative authorities of the occupied north lifted a ban on headscarves in secondary schools. Since then, trade unions, teachers and left-wing organizations have been on the streets.
The issue is mobilizing citizens, as it touches on their basic existential concerns: identity, autonomy, and the fear of losing their way of life under increasing authoritarian and religious pressure. It is an attempt to impose the Erdoganist AKP and fundamentalism on the Turkish-Cypriot community, political analysts, unionists and professors explain to Kathimerini, and declare that they will continue their battle despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s warnings.
