Middle East Concern | Nov. 9, 2019
Turkish Christians request prayer for Christian convert, Esma, who has been withdrawn from her teaching duties and is being investigated by the National Education Board after the Turkish press accused her of missionary activities through her social media account.
Esma (40), a graduate from Ataturk Religious Faculty of Erzurum University, has been working at Hasan Fatma Onal Anadolu High School in Kusadasi for the last two years, teaching religion and morality.
On 6 November the Turkish conservative newspaper, Milli Gazete, published an article drawing attention to Esma’s faith as a Christian and accusing her of missionary activity through her private social media accounts. This “news” was then picked up by other Turkish media outlets.
As a consequence, Esma was removed from teaching duties and the National Board of Education started an investigation into her capability as a Christian of teaching religion and morality. Esma has opened a court case against the press and the National Board of Education and has requested that the defamatory and discriminatory remarks be removed from public sources.