Turkey - A Bridge Between Islam and the West
By David Belle
After some time reviewing the Honduran constitutional crisis, I have decided to examine another example of a country where the constitution has generated controversy: Turkey. Although I believe Turkey has proven to be a success in bridging Islam and the West, I want to be clear that Turkey is not a country without its faults. Its refusal to accept responsibility for the Armenian genocide during World War 1 is deplorable. Also, Turkey's suppression and attempted forced assimilation of its Kurdish citizens and their culture is inexcusable.
Notwithstanding these two issues, Turkey represents an Islamic country that is a modern secular democracy, fully inclusive of woman's political rights. This country's secular constitution was instituted in the 1920s and 1930s by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey's republic from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Atatürk is the father of this nation and his legacy is still in full force today.
Turkey is integrated with the west being a member of such organization as NATO, the G20 and the OECD. Turkey is also in negotiations to become a full member of the EU. The country is a parliamentary representative democracy with three branches of government including, executive, legislative and independent judiciary. Turkey has good relations with the West, and is now also reaching out to other regions of the world. One interesting fact that differentiates this country from most of the Islamic world is its relationship with Israel. Turkey was the first Muslim country to recognize the State of Israel in 1949 and is considered one of Israel's closest allies both militarily and strategically.
A major controversy surrounding the Turkish democracy is the army's involvement in government. The Turkish military has taken on the role of the guardian of secularism and the constitution. The country's current ruling party, the AKP, has been cautiously treading towards a more Islamist stance. In reaction to the AKP's politics, the military issued a statement in 2007 that made it clear it is still a power broker. The statement entailed that the army will be a party in all arguments over secularism and warned they are ready to carry out their duties to protect the characteristics of the Republic. In 2008, the AKP government proposed to lift a ban on wearing headscarfs in universities. This proposal was annulled by the constitutional court and resulted in the AKP receiving a fine. During this deliberation, the constitutional court came within one vote of an all out closure of the AKP.
Although controversial, there are many who claim this deeply instituted secularism and modern approach has resulted in Turkey's economic success, considered both a "developed" country and a regional power. This issue is divisive within the country, with many claiming that the current system of military enforced secularism is anti-democratic. If the country compromises on its secularism, could that be the first step towards a religious state? If so, is the current alternative not preferable to a model such as the theocracy in Iran? At least under the current model democracy and personal freedom exist as long as religious based laws are not changed or instituted? On a relative basis, even with its issues, is the Turkish system not preferable to many others in the middle east? My hope is these questions fuel constructive dialog around the search to improve coexistence among nations and religions of this world.
David Belle
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