These judges interpret the “man-made secular” laws of the modern Turkish state. The laws can be interpreted as an “obstacle to Islam” meaning the implementation of Islamic law or Sharia on Turkish soil. From AP with thanks to Granny Weatherwax.
A gunman stormed into a meeting at Turkey’s highest administrative court in Ankara today and opened fire, wounding five judges, the governor’s office said.
The attacker, a lawyer who was detained and was being interrogated by police, reportedly chanted “God is Great!” as he fired his weapon, private NTV television reported, citing witnesses.
One of the injured judges, Mustafa Birden, had been criticised for a February decision barring the promotion of a teacher who wore an Islamic-style head scarf outside of work. The decision was condemned by the government.
Justice Birden was critically wounded in the stomach and being operated on, TGRT television said. Another judge, who was hit in the neck, was also undergoing surgery.
The governor’s office said two of the five judges who were wounded were in critical condition, but did not identify them.
Some 99 per cent of Turks are Muslims.
The country’s secular establishment, however, which includes the courts and the military, has sought for decades to restrict Islamic influence, which some political leaders view as an obstacle to Western-style modernisation.
Under Turkish law, women are not allowed to enter schools or other public buildings wearing head scarves…
Update: One of the injured Judges has now died.