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