On The Good News Front: Secular Turkey
If the European Union remains insufficiently convinced that Turkey should be welcomed as a member of the Union, recent events should inform them that the people of Turkey deserve the kind of respect that may be lacking in offering to the administration of the country. On the other hand, while the government of Turkey is anxious to be admitted to the ranks of the European Union, it's a moot point whether the Turkish population is itself adamant about achieving that signal honour.
They appear to be feeling somewhat less than appreciated as a proud population of a secular albeit religious country, by their counterparts within the European Union, and perhaps with good reason. Turks are justifiably proud of their country and even more so of their tradition as a secular country, in celebration of the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk whose purpose was the separation of religion and state. Their secular standards, they feel, are second to none.
They are so committed to retaining that separation that an estimated one million determined Turks turned out for the latest show of strength. On the evidence of their mass presence, chanting of slogans and the brandishing of the national flag they have no patience with the very thought of a theocratic government for their country. "Seculariam is more precious to us than democracy", according to one university student. "And the EU won't ever accept us anyway; to hell with EU."
The Turkish army which considers itself the custodian of Ataturk's legacy has taken it upon itself to militarily overthrow four governments since 1960, and is now threatening, through a statement issued by its Chief of General Staff to forestall any political attempts to alter the structure of the Turkish government, unequivocally detailing the dangers posed by radical Islam.
"Neither Shariah, nor coup d'etat. Democratic Turkey", shouted the crowd, carrying portraits of Kemal Ataturk. This rally in Istanbul, the capital of the country, was the second in two weeks; the earlier one having taken place in Ankara, with similar feelings expressed. The ruling Justice and Development Party, originally a banned Islamist party, now maintains it has disavowed its Islamist roots, and is committed to secular principles.
The rallies were mounted in response to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a former Islamist, and the sole candidate in the race for president, taking on that role through a successful democratic election result. The prime minister of the country, another Islamist, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has ruled as a moderate Islamist, but Turks are concerned that the Islamists will succeed in altering the political system to suit an Islamist agenda.
Mr. Gul's wife is a rarity in the country, wearing the Islamic headscarf. Women are banned by law from wearing the headscarf in parliament, government offices, schools and universities. Should the election of Mr. Gul proceed, his wife would be the first presidential spouse to cover her head; a matter of fact that chills secular apprehensions. "A woman who covers her head cannot sit in Ataturk's palace", fumed Nesrin Akkoc, one of thousands of women attending the rally.
"Turkey will not become another Iran", she said.
They appear to be feeling somewhat less than appreciated as a proud population of a secular albeit religious country, by their counterparts within the European Union, and perhaps with good reason. Turks are justifiably proud of their country and even more so of their tradition as a secular country, in celebration of the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk whose purpose was the separation of religion and state. Their secular standards, they feel, are second to none.
They are so committed to retaining that separation that an estimated one million determined Turks turned out for the latest show of strength. On the evidence of their mass presence, chanting of slogans and the brandishing of the national flag they have no patience with the very thought of a theocratic government for their country. "Seculariam is more precious to us than democracy", according to one university student. "And the EU won't ever accept us anyway; to hell with EU."
The Turkish army which considers itself the custodian of Ataturk's legacy has taken it upon itself to militarily overthrow four governments since 1960, and is now threatening, through a statement issued by its Chief of General Staff to forestall any political attempts to alter the structure of the Turkish government, unequivocally detailing the dangers posed by radical Islam.
"Neither Shariah, nor coup d'etat. Democratic Turkey", shouted the crowd, carrying portraits of Kemal Ataturk. This rally in Istanbul, the capital of the country, was the second in two weeks; the earlier one having taken place in Ankara, with similar feelings expressed. The ruling Justice and Development Party, originally a banned Islamist party, now maintains it has disavowed its Islamist roots, and is committed to secular principles.
The rallies were mounted in response to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a former Islamist, and the sole candidate in the race for president, taking on that role through a successful democratic election result. The prime minister of the country, another Islamist, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has ruled as a moderate Islamist, but Turks are concerned that the Islamists will succeed in altering the political system to suit an Islamist agenda.
Mr. Gul's wife is a rarity in the country, wearing the Islamic headscarf. Women are banned by law from wearing the headscarf in parliament, government offices, schools and universities. Should the election of Mr. Gul proceed, his wife would be the first presidential spouse to cover her head; a matter of fact that chills secular apprehensions. "A woman who covers her head cannot sit in Ataturk's palace", fumed Nesrin Akkoc, one of thousands of women attending the rally.
"Turkey will not become another Iran", she said.
Labels: Crisis Politics
posted by Pieface | 6:24 PM
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