Two definitions of secularism

Parliamentary Speaker Bulent Arinc, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, other force commanders and Constitutional Court Chief Judge Mustafa Bumin also sat on the the panel.

Sezer defined secularism as the basis of the modernization efforts and the biggest guarantor of Ataturk’s reforms, national unity and social peace, while Erdogan said secularism ensured that the state was neutral towards all religions and guaranteed that all individuals could practice their religious freedoms.

Sezer said: "The Republic of Turkey has put secularism at the center of its modernization efforts. Secularism is the guarantor of Ataturk’s reforms, national unity and social peace. Ataturk’s thoughts are the basis of the efforts to adapt to the modern world. He is a symbol of our national unity, independence, modernization and enlightenment."

Erdogan said: "Ataturk never adhered to a set doctrine or ideology. His world view was based on common sense. We all know that Ataturk never believed in set ideas. Secularism, which is one of the guarantors of democracy and social peace, is a concept with two dimensions. The first dimension separates the state from religion. The second ensures that the state is neutral towards all religions and guarantees that all individuals can practice their religious freedoms. In this context, secularism is the basis of the unity of our nation. No one should forget that concepts like national sovereignty, the state and secularism developed as democracy and the world evolved."

The difference in their definitions was noted by all; with Sezer describing it as a set rule and Erdogan saying it was a concept open to change.