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About 3,000 Islamic demonstrators marched Sunday in downtown Istanbul to protest a new law curbing religious education.

The measure was proposed by the staunchly secular military, which sees religious schools as a breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalism.

There were several recent angry demonstrations against the bill. It was approved Saturday by parliament.

“No to the military junta. Freedom to education,” the demonstrators chanted, leaving a mosque after noon prayers.

By increasing compulsory secular education to eight years from five, the law effectively pre-empts the first three years of religious high schools. The measure surfaced after the military compelled an Islamic-led government to step down.