Columnist faces backlash for targeting children at Quran course

A columnist for the Turkish newspaper Korkusuz has drawn widespread criticism for making offensive remarks targeting young children attending a Quran course. In his column, Mustafa Mutlu attacked the children participating in a year-end event for a Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) 4-6 year-old Quran course in Küçükkuyu, Çanakkale.

Mutlu's article began with a disclaimer, stating, "My words are definitely not directed at the families who provide religious education to their children; everyone's choice is respected." However, the subsequent language used to describe the children revealed a clear hypocrisy. He referred to the children as "takkeli" (wearing a skullcap) and "örtülü" (veiled), using these descriptions in a derogatory manner.

The columnist's decision to share photographs of the children attending the Quran course further fueled public anger. His commentary, which included phrases like, "If Atatürk were alive and saw this photo you took with children aged 4-6 wearing skullcaps and veils," was widely condemned as hateful and inappropriate.

The article, published by Uğur Birdal, has sparked outrage among many who view the targeting of young children based on their religious education as unacceptable. The use of divisive language and the sharing of children's images in such a context have been heavily criticized on social media and by various commentators.