Ateist Turkish pianist Fazıl Say appears on trial for allegedly insulting and offending Islam and Muslims

Renown Turkish pianist Fazıl Say who has done much more for Turkey’s reputation and promotion than the combined efforts of the people who sue him, appeared today for his trial in an Istanbul court for remarks he made on Twitter supporting atheism and allegedly insulting Islam.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – The indictment against Say calls for the famous pianist to be sentenced to 1,5 years in prison for ‘ insulting the religious values of a section of society.’ He is charged for indicting religious hatred and insulting Islamic values in a series of provocative tweets on his Twitter account.

A large number of prominent artists have voiced their support for Fazıl Say in a written statement, protesting court cases that they said are forced upon artists. Some 100 human rights activists, including artists and journalists, gathered outside the Istanbul courthouse in support of the Turkish artist who has played with the philharmonic orchestras of Berlin, New York, Tokyo and Israel.

“Fazil Say is not alone,” read one of the banners held by the peaceful protestors showing their support for Fazıl Say.

Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bağış expressed his regret at the Fazıl Say trial: ‘ I wish Fazıl Say wouldn’t oblige us to make such explanations on international platforms.’

The Fazıl Say case has revived fears of increasing restrictions on freedom of speech in Turkey and concerns that the secular country was becoming more Islamist under ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party).

Fazıl Say said he was “amazed” by having to appear before judges in a note he sent to a gathering of fellow artists on Tuesday to show solidarity with the acclaimed composer.

Fazıl Say Trial : A case for modern Turkey vs pious Turkey : Is Islam a taboo ?

‘ All my life, I have represented the modern face of Turkey to the world through my art..I feel weird because I am facing the threat of being punished with a case like this meaningless thing,” he stated.

The indictment cited some of his controversial tweets including one where he the virtuoso said “I am not sure if you have also realised it, but all the pricks, low-lives, buffoons, thieves, jesters, greedy bastards, child rapers they are all Allahists.”

Fazıl Say was also the target of outrage from Islam fans when he posted tweets condemning what he branded the hypocrisy of the pious in Turkey.

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