How glorification of martyrdom produces child suicide bombers in Turkey

A majority of Turkish children are exposed to Islamic education and media indoctrination that glorifies martyrdom.
A man bends on a coffin as people mourn during a funeral for victims of last night's attack on a wedding party that left 50 dead in Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border on August 21, 2016. At least 50 people were killed when a suspected suicide bomber linked to Islamic State jihadists attacked a wedding thronged with guests, officials said on August 21. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the IS extremist group was the "likely perpetrator" of the bomb attack, the deadliest in 2016
A man places his arms and head on a coffin as people mourn during a funeral for victims of the attack on a wedding party that left more than 50 dead in Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, Aug. 21, 2016. - ILYAS AKENGIN/AFP/Getty Images
pinartremblay-color.jpg
Pinar Tremblay
@pinartremblay
Read in 

On Aug. 20, news broke that an outdoor wedding celebration was attacked in Gaziantep, in southeast Turkey, on the Syrian border.

The attack left at least 57 dead and dozens wounded. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed the press that the Islamic State (IS) was suspected in the attack and that the suicide bomber was a child aged 12-14 years old. Erdogan added that authorities were not sure whether the child had blown himself up or the bomb was activated remotely.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more