Ankara, Turkey - State Minister Mehmet Aydın said on Saturday that everyone had the right to explain their religion but noted that this did not mean they had the right to censure other religions.
Speaking at parliamentary discussions on the Religious Affairs Directorate's 2007 budget, Aydın said if he had the right to expound on his religion in Germany or Holland, members of other religions should have the same right in Turkey.
He said missionary activities took place all around the world, including in Turkey. 'However, as one expounds on one's own religion one needs to be careful not to offend other religions.'
In response to a question about the Religious Affairs Directorate recognizing Alevi cem evleri as houses of worship, he said legal considerations should be taken into account before making any such decisions. Laws define houses of worship. If I now say, Yes, a cem evi is a house of worship,' I'll get into legal trouble.
He also said that their efforts to redefine the vision and scope of the directorate were continuing, noting that it should be a global, rather than national, institution. It needs to find solutions to global challenges, he said.