Turkey, Which Direction?
By Dr Syed Amir
Bethesda, MD
Istanbul, spanning Asia and Europe, is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. .About two years ago, on my last visit to the city, I stayed in a hotel in the shadow of the Sultan Ahmad’s Blue Mosque, and from the hotel balcony could see its brilliantly lit minarets that emblazoned the night sky. The magnificent mosque built by Sultan Ahmad I between 1609 and 1616, like all other mosques, was open to visitors of all faiths, except during brief prayer times.
Istanbul was peaceful and vibrant, and life flowed in an orderly fashion. There were throngs of tourists milling around the historic monuments in the old city even though the summer had faded, giving way to autumn chill. The city showcased a delightful blend of culture diversity, with Hijab-wearing women moving seamlessly amongst those attired in modern Western designer clothes. Restaurants offering traditional dishes also served alcohol.
The decade-long rule by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Islamist-based Justice and Development Party (AKP), following their electoral victory in 2002, has been associated with general prosperity, coinciding with Turkey’s emergence as a regional power. The country’s growth rate has been an astounding nine percent, representing one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This achievement is especially impressive, considering that the neighboring countries of Europe have been languishing in a state of high unemployment and severe recession.
Mr Erdogan, who is not yet sixty years old, has established himself as the transformational leader and most influential Turkish ruler since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern state. He has changed the face of the country, empowering many in Turkish society who erstwhile stayed on the periphery, the neglected folks from the Anatolian heartland who tend to be both religious and conservative. He has dominated the discourse in Islamic and international forums and is adored by the Arab-Muslim masses for his strong stand against repressive Israeli policies towards the Palestinians. Best of all, he has been credited with placing the military, which had mounted three coups in the past against civilian Governments in the name of safeguarding the secular constitution, firmly under civilian control.
As the winds of the Arab Spring swept through the Middle East, buffeting Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya and neighboring Syria, Turkey remained stable and unruffled. Then without warning, the magic spell was broken at the end of May. Seemingly a minor issue, the proposed conversion by the Government of Taksim Square-Gesa Park in central Istanbul into a multipurpose complex served as the trigger for repressed emotions that brought out crowds of angry Turkish protestors with a wide spectrum of agendas and disparate objectives. Among them were liberal secularists, leftist intellectuals, and young environmentalists who had chafed under Erdogan’s rule, unhappy with what they perceived as his increasingly autocratic, uncompromising leadership style.
In recent days, the overthrow of the elected civilian Government by the military in Egypt and ongoing violence there has claimed the world’s attention. The reasons of unrest in Egypt are, however, vastly different from those in Turkey. While Turkey is a rich and prosperous country, Egypt is desperately poor, with estimated 40 percent Egyptians surviving on an income of less than $2 per day. Also, democracy in Turkey, unlike Egypt, seems to have taken firm roots.
After lasting for weeks, the large scale protests have now died down in Turkey; however, divisions in the Turkish society that had been smoothed over for the past decades may not be repaired so easily. Turkey has long had a strong, elite minority dedicated to the ideals of fierce, uncompromising secularism and nationalism that had dominated the Government since the Kemalist Revolution in 1924, until it was dislodged by AKP. Now, the new emerging generation, young, educated and prosperous, whose ranks have been swelling thanks to the new affluence, expects greater freedom of choice. It suspects that the Erdogan Government is pursuing an agenda designed to replace the secular Turkish constitution with one that is grounded in Islamic jurisprudence. However, unlike the agitators in Tahrir Square in Cairo, the Gezi-Taksim park protesters were not trying to overthrow the democratically elected Turkish Government; they did however want to send a strong message to the prime minister.
Mr. Erdogan after being in power, virtually unchallenged, for eleven years has become the victim of power syndrome, insulated from the ordinary people. His characterization of the modern communication media --Twitter and Face book-- that have been used so effectively by his opponents, as the “worst menace to society,” also betrays his detachment from the realities of modern-day life. All the turmoil and demonstrations notwithstanding, Mr Erdogan remains a very popular leader and retains a strong base of support.
After his current term expires, he will not be eligible for reelection as prime minister and reportedly will seek the presidency of the country with enhanced powers. Ill-advised efforts to perpetuate his power are likely to unite and strengthen his opposition and weaken his luminous legacy and unblemished record of integrity. Nelson Mandela, who walked away after serving just one term as president of South Africa, while at the peak of his popularity, should provide a shining example for all leaders of Muslim countries.
Of all the issues facing Turkey today, the erosion of its secular form of Government, rooted in the principle of separation of religion from the business of governance enshrined in the country’s constitution, has the greatest potential for civil strife. The undesirable consequences of mixing religion with state affairs are evident in case of Pakistan, Egypt and Iraq, where violence is rampant and various extremists groups are tearing these societies apart. In countries that practice separation of state and religion, the constitution does not in any way abridge the right of individuals to practice the faith freely as they choose, except that the Government has no involvement in promoting any faith.
There is some nostalgia in Turkey about the glory days of the Ottoman Empire, but the past cannot be relived. Furthermore, the reign of the Ottoman Sultans were not unfailing glorious. Secularists specifically cite the reign of Sultan Murad IV (1632-1640) whose policies of forcible imposition of strict religious conformity generated much resentment. There are other considerations as well. Turkey has long been yearning for membership of the European Union (EU), an association of 28 states that are strongly secular and insist on total religious neutrality. Preservation of Turkey’s secular, democratic constitution ultimately will be helpful in advancing and promoting its admission to the exclusive club, opening up vast European markets to its products.
The world, especially the Islamic world, has a major stake in the continued success and progress of Turkey, a country with an overwhelming Muslim majority, a secular democracy with temperate Islamic traditions. So far, it has proven that, economically and industrially, it can compete, indeed surpass, the progress of the Western countries. It can serve as a model for all Muslim countries .
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