A new article in the Economist reiterates the British magazine’s support of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). The AKP is facing closure by the Constitutional Court due to allegations that the party is serving as a “center of anti-secularist activity” (for more info, click here)
The Turkish prosecutor… cites newspaper articles and interviews to justify an otherwise unsubstantiated claim that the party is employing “dissimulation” to bring in sharia law. That is not good enough. Not only do Mr Erdogan and the AKP insist vehemently that they uphold the secular state; they are also supported by a six-year record of economic and political reform, more rights for minorities and women, and the start of membership talks with the European Union. The AKP government has, in short, been both more liberal and more successful than any secular predecessor.
The Turko File could not agree more.
While the AKP is far from perfect, it has not committed serious crimes against secularism. Rather, the AK Party is trying to move Turkey toward the American understanding of secularism (complete freedom of religion) and away from the traditional Turkish understanding of secularism.
Much of this can be explained by semantics. In fact, the word “secularism” is a mistranslation when talking about the Turkish system. Turks use the world laiklik, which comes from the French laicite. Laicite implies state domination over religion and the elimination of religious symbols from the public sphere. It’s an ideology that privileges the state over the individual.
Of course, there is a very small possibility that Turkey’s alarmed secularists are correct and the AKP is secretly trying to create an Islamic Republic via the ballot box. If this is the case — and I really don’t think it is — Turkey still does not have much to fear. The vast majority of Turks do not support the institution of Shariah law. In fact, polling data shows that Turks are much less tolerance of mixing religion with politics than Americans are.
In 2006, 34% of Americans believed that America’s laws should be derived from the Bible. A 2006 poll conducted in Turkey found that only 9% of Turks support rule by the Quran. In short, the Turkish people will never support an “Islamic revolution” carried out by the AKP. The AKP knows this. Like any political party, it cares about staying in power. Thus, there is little chance they will institute Shariah and alienate 91% of the Turkish public.
June 13, 2008 at 7:06 am
What do you make of reports that the AKP government has closed down pork factories, and tried to block the sale of alcohol in certain areas?
Regards,
JK
June 14, 2008 at 1:13 pm
The problem with any discussion with Muslims is their obligation to deceive non-Muslims. That a party in power can’t make radical change is non-sense. Hitler had little support for his radical ideas until he took over. Did most Germans clamour to kill Jews or go to war? No. But a dictator commanded the nation and hell ensued.
AKP is not going to tell the truth about imposing Sharia. But the Koran tells them this is their duty. Will AKP defy Allah?
“While the AKP is far from perfect, it has not committed serious crimes against secularism.” This comment reveals that the AKP is, in fact, on the road to imposing Sharia law. Changes come little by little. If it is truly secular, why are any crimes committed against secularism?
Secular or not,Turkey is not part of Europe and hasn’t been Western in any sense since being overrun by Muslims. It will add nothing good to Europe.
June 15, 2008 at 9:23 am
Jeb: I have heard that AKP municipal officials have been trying to deny liquor licenses to bars and restaurants. As for the pork story, I have heard a variety of things. You can still find pork in Turkey but it is getting more scarce.
Does this show that the AKP is anti-democratic or illiberal? No. It is within the rights of Turks to ban these things if they wish. There are a number of dry counties in the United States and democracy still functions fine. There is also a movement under foot to ban the slaughter of horses for food. I dont think too many people argue in the United States that this will mean the end of democracy in the US.
That said, I can see how these trends would be very worrying to many Turks, especially those who are non-religious. To them, the country is becoming more conservative. And they are within their rights not to like it.
Guy: Many within Turkey made the argument that you made about the AKPs Quaranic duty to establish Shariah. However, the AKP has behaved in a more democratic fashion than virtually any party that has come before it. These people are not wild eyed fanatics. They are politicians.
I also have to take strong issue with you statement that “The problem with any discussion with Muslims is their obligation to deceive non-Muslims.” It is not possible to lump the 1 billion Muslims in the world into one homogenous, intolerant group. Just like Christians, Muslims practice their faith in a variety of ways. Undoubtedly, some Muslims subscribe to the Taqqiya doctrine. This doesnt mean many or most Muslims in Turkey do.
You ask if the AKP will ever defy Allah? First, Turkey has developed a tolerant version of Islam that accomodates democracy and the rule of law (google the controvercial cleric Fethuallh Gulen). Furthermore, those Turks who favor the imposition of Shariah are in the minority in Turkey. If the AKP ever attempted this it would lose virtually all its publıc support. And there would be a military coup. The AKP is made up of politicians, not religious fanatics. Like politicians everywhere, they care about holding onto their jobs more than anything else.