Religious order hooks mistreated children

MINOR PILGRIMAGE AS REWARD
Despite the debate engendered in the aftermath of the 15 July coup attempt, children placed in the state’s care continue to be handed over to religious orders. Twenty-two children who are staying at children’s homes affiliated to Ankara Family and Social Policies Provincial Directorate were taken on a minor pilgrimage (umrah) to Saudi Arabia, their success cited as grounds, bankrolled by the Muradiye Culture Foundation, known to be the Ankara arm of the Nakshibendi religious order.
HE ENTRUSTED 22 CHILDREN TO THEM
The 22 children, who are subject to protection/measure orders, were seen off on the minor pilgrimage arranged by the Muradiye Foundation by Ankara Family and Social Policies Provincial Director, Bestami Erkoç. Erkoç, who posted the childens’ photographs on his social media account, has justified the pilgrimage programme as a reward for school reports. Erkoç also publicised the ‘event’ on the institution’s official website.