WASHINGTON D.C. - The Washington Post, one of the leading dailies in the United States, has used the title of "Turkey's Rulers Survive Secularist Challenge" to inform its readers on the ruling of the Turkey's highest judicial body about the governing Justice & Development (AK) Party.
In its article, the Washington Post wrote, "the high court lets Islamic-rooted party continue, but with a 'serious warning'. Party supporters labeled the case an attempted 'judicial coup' and accused secular leaders of resorting to judicial maneuvers to attempt to seize political power they were unable to attain at the ballot box."
The daily wrote that Turkish political parties had been banned by the judiciary in the past, but this case marked the first time a popular ruling party faced such a prospect.
"The decision averted an abrupt change of guard at a time when Turkey is grappling with domestic terrorism and seeking to bolster its case for inclusion in the EU. But the underlying political tension that led to the standoff remains. The country's ruling party, whose leaders are observant Muslims, and the secular establishment, which includes opposition parties, the military and the judiciary, are beset by deep mutual bitterness and suspicion," it commented.
The Washington Post described Turkey as a "predominantly Muslim democratic state whose constitution regards secularism as sacred" and said, "they are at odds over a question that has divided Turks for years: What role, if any, should Islam play in the affairs of such a country?"
The daily quoted Bulent Aliriza, director of the Turkey Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, as saying, "there is no consensus as to what secularism is and how it should be maintained. What you have is leaders who are not secular who are trying to change the rigorous aspects of secularism. The ruling party has accepted the continuation of secularism. What it is trying to do is adjust it to take it to the wishes of the electorate."
Onur Oymen, a senior member of Turkey's largest opposition party (Republican People's Party) said in an interview with the Washington Post, "the ruling party insists on its present policies, there will be serious consequences."
Ergun Ozbudun, a professor of political science and constitutional law at Bilkent University in Ankara, told the daily that the head scarf had become the leading wedge issue and political symbol of the broader debate about the role of Islam in Turkey. "In recent months, some of our female students have found other ways to shield their hair at school. They come in with wigs and hats," he said.
Busra Kidam, 17, a high school student told the daily that the garment gave her inner strength and security in her beliefs. "When I start college next year, I will reluctantly take it off at the gate. Removing the scarf will not erase my ideas," she said.
The daily wrote that Turkey was a country of sharp contrasts. "Women in tank tops and stiletto heels share cafe patios in Istanbul with women draped in black veils. Abortion is legal in Turkey," it said.
The article concluded with a quote from Ali Carkoglu, a political scientist, who said, "we will have to go through a period of reconciliation and debate."
(UK-MS)
(POL)