Thousands of Turkish Cypriots marched through the northern half of Nicosia, the divided capital of Cyprus, on May 2, 2025, to protest what they perceive as Turkey’s efforts to undermine their secular identity and impose political Islam, particularly through changes in the education system.
The demonstration, marked by trade union banners and placards declaring “Cyprus will stay secular” and “It won’t pass,” culminated in a concert after rain showers subsided.
The protest, organized by leftist trade unions, was sparked by the recent decision of Turkish Cypriot authorities to lift a ban on headscarves in high schools, a move critics see as a step toward “Islamization” driven by Turkey’s ruling AKP party. Elma Eylem, president of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS), described the policy as “social engineering” aimed at aligning Turkish Cypriot society with Ankara’s political agenda. “This is not about freedom or headscarves but a deliberate effort to deepen political Islam’s dominance,” Eylem told The Associated Press.
The demonstration preceded a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was set to inaugurate government buildings in northern Cyprus, a region recognized only by Turkey, and reportedly planned to publicly address the protesters. Tensions have escalated since last month’s policy change, with teachers at one high school turning away a student wearing a headscarf, citing their commitment to secular education. Eylem defended the action, stating, “We won’t allow political Islam to be imposed on our girls.”
The protests reflect broader concerns among Turkish Cypriots about Turkey’s influence over their institutions and political will. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded following a Greek-backed coup, splitting the island into the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north, recognized only by Turkey. With over 35,000 Turkish troops stationed in the north, many protesters feel their community has been reduced to a minority under Ankara’s control.
Eylem dismissed a counterprotest supporting the headscarf policy as unrepresentative of Turkish Cypriot views, alleging it was orchestrated by Turkey. The union has launched a legal challenge against the headscarf decision at the Turkish Cypriot Constitutional Court, signaling a prolonged struggle to preserve secularism.
The march coincided with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’ announcement of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar as his envoy to explore resuming Cyprus peace talks, stalled since 2017. As protesters illuminated their mobile phones in a symbolic gesture, their message was clear: they seek to protect their secular roots and resist external efforts to reshape their society.
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