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The following is a selection of entries from daily reports over the past few weeks.
Headscarf On Turkish National Security Council Agenda
Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) will convene on February 21, to be chaired by President Abdullah Gul.
On the agenda are the constitutional amendments adopted by the parliament last week; lifting the ban on the Islamic headscarf at universities will also be discussed. Military personnel who are council members are expected to break their silence on the headscarf issue, and to share their concerns with politicians.
Source: Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, February 19, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5556.htm
PM Erdogan: "We Will Support Our Palestinian Brothers To The End"
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Maliki and Palestinian ambassadors serving in other countries.
The Palestinian officials are holding a meeting in Turkey.
Erdogan said during his meeting with the Palestinian officials that Turkey has always strongly supported its brother Palestinian people's right to build its own independent and sovereign state, and has been doing all it can, not only help resolve the conflict but also to help Palestinians attain humane living conditions.
Erdogan also called on 'brother Egypt' to review the situation and lend all the support it can. He added that Egypt too has historical responsibilities and that the current methods and conditions are unacceptable.
Erdogan said that pushing the entire region to hunger, thirst, cold and misery in order to fight some aggressors cannot be defined by anyone as a fight against terrorism. He said, "As I said, we have stood by the Palestinian cause, but the division among Palestinians in their just cause disturb us as well as all other Islamic countries. We must resolve this. I am calling on you as your brother, and because my heart is bleeding; you must make peace among yourselves. We have to resolve this issue".
Source: Habervaktim.com, Turkey, February 16, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5474.htm
Turkish Islamist NGO On Mughniya Assassination: "This Lowly Attack Will Not Be The Last By U.S., Israel"
A statement by the Turkish Islamist NGO Ozgur-Der on the Mughniya assassination, posted on the Islamist news portal Haksoz.net, read:
"The Zionist murderer Israel has committed another murder. Imad Mughniya, one of the leaders and symbols of the honorable Lebanese Islamic resistance against the U.S. and Israel, was martyred by Israel-U.S. cooperation.
"We believe that the martyrdom of Lebanon's heroic son Mughniya will not weaken the Islamic resistance, but will only strengthen our determination. We send our condolences and our congratulations to the Lebanese Hizbullah movement and to all Islamic movements in the world.
"We reiterate our belief in the fact that our lives that are dedicated to Allah will be avenged many times over, and will only become stronger with each added martyr.
"This lowly attack will not be the last to be committed by the U.S. and Israel, which have shown in our region all kinds of savagery of oppression, torture, massacres, and embargos.
"The fact that a leading name of the Zionist gang [i.e. Ehud Barak] was in Turkey at the time of Mughniya's assassination is very telling. The Turkish Republic, which hosted this murderer, has shown complicity in the assassination. The Turkish president, prime minister, and chief of general staff, who were photographed with the Zionist minister of aggression of the crime gang called 'Israel' have trampled our people's and our brethren's sense of justice, and have committed an historic crime.
"We once again call on the AKP government, and on all authorities, to stop giving empty advice and wishes, and to stop showing attitudes devoid of content, in the face of the murders by the Zionist gang."
Source: Haksoz.net, Turkey, February 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5455.htm
Columnist In Turkish Islamist Daily: Mughniya Has "Name Written In History"
Turkish columnist Ahmet Varol wrote in the radical Islamist daily Vakit:
"[…] Some shahids have their names written in history. They deserve this honor for being milestones in Islam's struggle and for being the torches shedding light on the path to victory.
"Imad Mughniya, an important military commander of Hizbullah that defeated the army of the Zionist terrorists, has joined the long list of such shahids.
"This murder documents once again that the occupier Zionist state is a terrorist state. These bandit terrorists tail their targets all around the world, trap them, and murder them.
"Now [this state] has added another to its series of its murders, choosing to do so when the No. 1 man responsible for these murders, war minister Ehud Barak, was in Turkey.
"Let us reiterate that touching his bloody hands and signing cooperation agreements with him brings no good to our country.
"In an official statement that no one believes, the Zionist state said that it had nothing to do with this assassination [...] Ultimately, this statement will not cancel the reprisal, nor will it detract from the determination of the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance."
Source: Vakit, Turkey, February 15, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5454.htm
Islamic Prayers Performed In Public – At Mall, In Traffic
The Mainstream Turkish media is reporting on people performing namaz [Islamic prayer] in unlikely public places, as religiosity becomes increasingly visible in Turkey.
At Akmerkez, an upscale shopping mall in Istanbul a woman spread out a prayer rug in front of a jewelry store and performed namaz. A man believed to be her husband prayed after she finished.
In heavy traffic on one of the Bosphorus bridges, a car pulled to the side, a woman in a black chador emerged to spread prayer rug on the pavement, and three men wearing Islamic attire performed their namaz on it (Vatan).
Source: Vatan, Cumhuriyet, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, February 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5433.htm
Two Girls Burned In Acid Attack For Wearing Short Skirts
A high school senior and an elementary school student were attacked in the Mediterranean town of Mersin with strong acid spray.
In two separate incidents less than an hour apart, the girls were approached from behind by a group of young men who said that their skirts were too short. The girls were then sprayed with an acidic substance that melted their stockings and caused deep wounds on the backs of their legs. Both girls were treated in hospital.
Police are searching for the culprits, believed to be the same in both incidents.
According to media reports, uncovered women in Mersin who wear shorter skirts fear similar attacks.
Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Cumhuriyet, TDN, Turkey, February 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5432.htm
Turkish Islamist Website: "Legendary Commander Imad Mughniya Martyred; Quds, Islamic Umma Will Never Forget You, Ya Shahid!"
The Turkish Islamist website Velfecr.com mourned the assassination of Hizbullah leader Imad Mughniya and praised him as one of the greatest commanders of Islamic resistance, who was behind the biggest operations against the Americans and Zionists.
The website said that Mughniya had conducted the operation of kidnapping two Zionist soldiers, and had commanded the resistance front that defeated the Zionist enemy in July 2006.
The website sent its congratulations and condolences to Hizbullah and all freedom fighters for the martyrdom of the great commander, and quoted Iranian sources as saying "The shahid Mughniya was a golden page in the fight against Zionism."
Source: Velfecr.com, Turkey, February 14, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5420.htm
A Bitter Erdogan Attacks Media, CHP; Escalates Tensions By Saying AKP Came Ready To Die For Cause
In a passionate speech at his party's parliamentary group meeting, PM Tayyip Erdogan attacked the mainstream media for its evaluation of the situation in Turkey and the recent headlines that read "chaos" and "a nation divided."
He called the largest media group "CHP's media" and accused media of trying to serve and advance their own interests by hiding behind the "principle of secularism."
He said that the "chaos and division" were nothing but the reflections of the distorted minds of media members, and blamed the media for cherrypicking and publishing foreign criticism (such as the recent ones in German media) that they themselves instigate.
Erdogan also slammed the opposition (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal for trying to influence the judiciary about constitutional amendments on allowing the Islamic headscarf before they are approved by the president, and repeatedly asked, "What kind of democrat are you?" alleging that Baykal wants a dictatorship.
Erdogan said that he and his friends had walked down this road with their white shrouds at hand [to wear at their death] and were ready and comfortable to pay any price.
As the PM spoke, some AKP MPs were tearful – among them the former parliamentary speaker Bulent Arinc.
Source: Aksam, Hurriyet and all Turkish dailies, February 12-13, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5361.htm
EU Official On Lifting Turban Ban: "They Opened A Pandora's Box"
Joost Lagendijk, cochairman of the Joint Turkey-EU Parliamentary Commission, discussed Turkey's turban issue with the BBC, saying that the government has opened a Pandora's box and no one knows what the outcome will be.
Lagendijk said that the issue of freedom of speech in Turkey is very important to the EU, and that if the Turkish government does not take the necessary steps to amend the law that restricts freedom of expression, the next report to the European Parliament, in April, will not be favorable to Turkey.
Source: ANKA News Agency, Turkey, February 12, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5358.htm
Turkish Theology Professor: "AKP Is Erbakan's Real Child"
In an interview with the Gercek Hayat magazine, Marmara University professor and Islam expert Ismail Kara said that the AKP was the real child of Erbakan, born when the Refah [Welfare] Party [RP] was closed down after February 28, 1997 (the post-modern coup) which removed only the older generation of the party.
He said that the closing down of the Islamist RP was not an end, because AKP became the destination for the offspring of Erbakan's Islamist Milli Gorus movement.
Prof. Kara added that Islam and being a Muslim is different than Islamism, which is a political ideology and a fairly new phenomenon that emerged from within Islam. He said that the AKP's top men are those who were closest to Erbakan.
Source: Gercek Hayat Dergisi, Turkey, February 8, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5356.htm
Iranian Secular Society in London: "AKP Rules Turkey Just Like Hamas"
The mainstream Turkish daily Milliyet has reported that Faroborz Pooya, the leader of the London-based Iranian Secular Society, told the ANKA News Agency that PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan was ruling Turkey like Hamas. He also said that the turban (Islamic headscarf) should not be freely permitted.
Pooya told ANKA that allowing the turban at universities would have grave consequences for Turkey's secular order. He said what had started as a left-wing revolution in Iran had become an Islamist revolution, and added that Turkey also housed strong political Islam.
Pooya likened the AKP to Hamas, which also won elections, and said that Hamas, the AKP, and Iranian rulers all come from the same roots – political Islam.
Source: Milliyet, ANKA News Agency, Turkey, February 9, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5315.htm
Turkish Islamist Website Teaches Women How To Behave: "A Woman's Jihad Is To Please Her Husband"
The Islamist website Takva.com wrote:
"A woman's jihad is to please her husband." (Taberani)
"The Prophet said about a woman who made herself beautiful for her husband, and spoke to him with nice words to please him, 'Go and tell her that she has achieved half-martyrdom.'" (Shir'a)
"It is easier for a woman to go to heaven. The woman who does her namaz (Islamic prayer) five times a day, observes her fasts, protects herself from strangers, and obeys her husband goes to heaven." (Ibni Hibban)
"When a man has a need and calls his wife, she has to answer to his need immediately, even if her hands are in the stove." (Tirmizi)
"Angels will curse and torment the woman all night if she does not come to bed when asked by her husband." (Buhari)
"Woman cannot spend even her own possessions unless she gets her husband's permission." (Taberani)
"A woman who leaves her house without her husband's permission will be cursed every day until her husband forgives her." (Deilemi)
"A woman cannot receive anyone in her home – including her parents, brothers and sisters – without her husband's permission." (Taberani)
"Ban your wives from wearing fancy attire! The sons of Israel were cursed because their women wore fancy clothes when they walked to the Temple." (Ibn Maje)
Source: Takva.com
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5307.htm
AKP Government Supports "Freedom" For Headscarf, Ignores Other Women's Rights
Erhan Ustundag, of the human rights website Bianet.org, wrote that although the AKP claims that wearing headscarves in universities is about "freedoms" and "rights," the government does not promote women's rights at all.
Ever since the AKP came to power, it has boasted of success in its economic policies, and PM Erdogan likes to talk about the rise in per capita income. However, in all other areas, the picture is bleak.
According to the 2007-2008 UNDP report, Turkey ranks 84th in terms of human development, and 112th in terms of gender equality. A clear indication of inequality is women's ability to participate in economic and political life. In a list of 93 countries, Turkey ranks 90th, followed only by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen. As female employment rates drop, the government is doing nothing to reverse the trend, and hypocritically presents the headscarf issue as one of access to education.
A recent study by academics at Bosphorus and Sabanci Universities lends support to the UNDP data on gender inequality in Turkey, finding that the ban on Islamic headscarves prevented only 1 percent of high school girls from continuing on to university. Other factors were found to be much more influential: Of all women who did not continue studying, 29.8% could not pass the entrance exams, 14.6% gave up education for early marriage, 10.5% were not permitted to study by their families, 14.6% said they had to work, and 6.3% could not afford it.
Instead of dealing with Turkey's problem of gender discrimination, AKP has chosen as its only priority the freedom to wear an Islamic headscarf.
Source: Bianet.org, February 7, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5304.htm
Turkish Interior Minister: The Islamic Revolution Is The Result Of The Iranian People's Struggle
Many high level Turkish officials and government ministers attended Iran's national day reception in Ankara. During the reception, Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay told the official Iranian news agency IRNA that the 1979 Islamic revolution was the result of the struggle of Iranian people, and added that Iran is Turkey's neighbor and friend.
Iran's Charge d'Affaires in Ankara Gulamreza Bageri Mugaddem cut a large cake decorated like the Iranian flag together with Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler.
In response to the question "What do you think about claims that Turkey might become like Iran after the new turban laws?" Mugaddem said, "The Turkish people are awake and aware. They know best which direction they will go. Insh'allah (Allah willing), our relations will grow further."
Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, February 11, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5298.htm
Iran Hails Turkey's Decision To Permit Islamic Headscarf At Universities
Iran's presidential advisor Hojatoleslam Biriya welcomed Ankara's recent decision to lift the ban on the wearing of Islamic headscarves by Muslim women at Turkish universities.
In his address at a conference held on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the cleric said that the move indicated Islam's victory in Turkey over laic forces and the spread of Islam in the entire world.
Biriya said, "We are witnessing the strengthening of the ties between Muslims everywhere.Women in Western countries are unfortunately used as a means for vulgarity, while Islam puts the emphasis on women's dignity."
Source: Hurriyet, Turkish Daily News, February 11, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5293.htm
Turkish Al-Qaeda Member Calls Turkish Youth To Jihad
The following is a statement by the late Abu Musa e-Turki, a Turkish Al-Qaeda member recently killed in Afghanistan:
"Allah the omnipotent, who knows everything, commands us to jihad. I call upon Turkish people to look at Allah's commandments. Don't be silent in face of oppression, lest you be an accomplice.
"It is in jihad that one finds honor and dignity. Don't think you can just live your lives the way you do, for Allah knows to differentiate those who never befriend infidels. Allah knows all that you do.
"Hey you, the young people [of Turkey]! Stand up and ready yourselves for jihad. Don't join those who sit idly. Jews and Christians have gained control of everything; therefore jihad became our obligation. Against their injustices and aggression, every Muslim's only response should be jihad..."
"Hey Abu Musa, May Allah's Blessings Be On You!"
Source: Takva.com
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5256.htm
Thousands Rally In Izmir Against Turban Laws
Rallies are taking place on a daily basis, in all Turkish cities, to protest against the proposed changes to the Turkish constitution to allow the turban [Islamic headscarf] at universities.
Yesterday, thousands of protesters marched in Izmir carrying posters with slogans such as, "We, the Women, are the Guardians of Secular Turkey," "Men and Women Hand In Hand, Against the Turban," and "The Turban is the Symbol of Discrimination and Oppression of Women – Not a Symbol of Freedom."
The Turkish mainstream media announced today that a giant demonstration will take place in Ankara on Saturday afternoon to protest against the constitutional amendments, as the parliament convenes for the second and final vote to pass the changed laws.
Source: Hurriyet, Vatan, Turkey, February 7, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5222.htm
Turkish Islamist Website: Each Muslim Must Kill An Infidel For Allah's Grace
"Hey America, We Have An Account To Settle With You!"
"If you want Allah to grant you victory, every one of you must kill an infidel!"
"The virtuous Sheikh Khaled er-Rashid – May Allah Save Him from Captivity"
Source: Turkish Islamist website Takva.com
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5202.htm
AKP Deputy Chairman Egemen Bagis: Turban Should Be Freely Worn In Parliament Too
According to a report published today in Sabah daily, AKP deputy chairman, MP, and chief prime minsterial advisor said at a dinner party organized by the Union of European Turkish Democrats in Germany that the turban (Islamic headscarf) should be freely worn in the Turkish parliament as well.
He said, "Who are those who work in the parliament? Representatives of the people. Therefore, those who represent the people should look like the people."
Source: Sabah, Turkey, February 6, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5163.htm
Swedish MP In Ankara: E.U. Wants To Embrace "Secular" Turkey
During a visit in Ankara, deputy chair of the Swedish Parliament's E.U. committee Susanne Eberstein answered journalists' questions about the Islamic headscarf, which is being hotly debated in Turkey.
Ms. Eberstein said that what the E.U. wants to embrace is a "secular" Turkey.
Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, February 6, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5148.htm
Alevis Rally In Istanbul To Protest AKP Policies
Thousands of Alevis gathered last weekend in Istanbul to protest against the AKP government's policies. During the rally, organized by the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association, with the support of many other Alevi associations, thousands of protesters claimed that the AKP government is pursuing a policy of denial toward Alevis [as well as non-Muslim minorities] and aims to assimilate them.
In his speech, association president Kazim Genc said, "The AKP says it wants to write a civilian constitution. However, there is no freedom of belief or equality in the constitution they are writing. There is shari'a law and the turban [Islamic headscarf]." He added that the AKP is acting as though turban is Turkey's only problem, saying, "As long as 'religion classes' remain compulsory in schools, this country cannot be secular."
Genç said that the ruling party is trying to create its own artificial Alevi associations that will comply with its policies and agenda: "We will not be the Alevis that the AKP wants us to be." He stressed that what they wanted was not a place in the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) where Turkey's 15-20 million Alevis have no representation, and said, "An institution like this should have no place in a secular state."
Source: Cumhuriyet, Turkey, February 4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5146.htm
Turkish Islamist Websites: Islamic Revolution In Space - On Anniversary Of Iran's Islamic Revolution
The radical Islamist websites Velfecr and Kudusyolu celebrated Iran's successful launch of the "Hope" satellite, amid chants of "Allah-u Akbar," and wrote that this development was taking the Islamic Revolution into space. The reports also rejoiced over the alleged "fear and panic" felt in the U.S. and Israel over Iran's technological advancement.
Source: Velfecr.com, Kudusyolu.com, Turkey, February 5, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5144.htm
Yeni Safak Columnist: U.S. Neocons, Israel Cut Underwater Fiber Optic Lines In Act Of War
Ibrahim Karagul, columnist for the Islamist Turkish daily Yeni Safak, which is known to be the unofficial mouthpiece of the AKP government, wrote that strange things happened last week when major underwater fiber optic lines were cut, leaving Iran and other Middle East countries with no Internet access.
Karagul stated that only Israel and Iraq were not affected by what he termed an act of futuristic war committed by the U.S. neo-cons and the Mossad.
He added that because of this act of sabotage, all systems in Iran had come to a halt, and communications between Middle Eastern banking centers and the Brussels-based Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication were severed. He also said that the cutting off of the Internet was a joint operation by the neocons and the Mossad, to show the world that even when other countries don't cooperate, the U.S. and Israel can paralyze and isolate Iran.
Source: Yeni Safak, Tevhidhaber.com, Turkey, February 5, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5141.htm
Supreme Court of Appeals Criticizes Headscarf
Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals (Yargitay) Osman Sirin said that the judiciary will not allow anyone to violate or weaken the constitution's principle of secularism.
Speaking at a February 3 ceremony for two retiring members of the court, Sirin criticized the government's recent initiatives to amend the constitution to allow Islamic headscarves at universities.
Sirin likened the legislative, executive and judiciary organs to the heart, brain and lungs of a living democracy, and said that it was inconceivable to think that these organs would be at odds with one another.
He also cited an earlier Yargitay statement, according to which the constitution's principle of secularism, as framed by High Court decisions, cannot be weakened through direct or indirect arrangements, and pledged that they would stand behind that statement and their commitment to the rule of law.
His speech was applauded long and loud by all the jurists.
Source: Milliyet, Turkey, February 4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5123.htm
Women Burn Chadors In Izmir Anti-Headscarf Demonstration
"Prime Minister, take your hands off the people's beliefs!"
"And God Created Woman... – And Who Created This???"
As women rallied in various parts of the country last weekend to protest against the proposed constitutional changes to permit the Islamic headscarf at universities, a large group of women wearing black Islamic chadors demonstrated on the streets of Izmir, and then burned the chadors and chanted anti-AKP and pro-women's rights and pro-women's equality slogans.
The Islamist media accused the protesting secular women of insulting Islam and being disrespectful of the historical symbol of the Turkish woman.
Source: Vakit, Tevhidhaber.com, Turkey, February 4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5118.htm
Islamist Turkish Website: "The Jewish Agent Lions Enemies Of Headscarf"
The Radical Islamist website Velfecr.com described the International Lions Club as a branch of the Masonic network, and accused its members of being Jewish agents.
The Lions Club had recently published an announcement in several mainstream dailies stating, "We, the Turkish Lions, are watching with sorrow the efforts to allow the turban – which we consider a political symbol – at our universities. We want to share with the public that we consider this a move against the founding principles and core values of our Republic, especially the principle on secularism. Signed: The Confederation of Turkish Lions Clubs."
The Velfecr report said that the Lions' expression of sorrow over efforts to permit the headscarf at universities is another clear example of Jewish treason and another manifestation of their hatred for Islam and Muslims.
Readers' comments on the report include virulent anti-Semitism, threats, incitement to violence and admiration for Palestinian terrorist organizations, including George Habash's PFLP, Hizbullah, and Hamas.
Source: Velfecr.com, Yeni Safak, Turkey, February 4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5117.htm
Thousands Of Turkish Women Rally Against Headscarf
Over 120,000 demonstrators flocked on Saturday to Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Kamal Ataturk, to demonstrate against the government's move to allow the Islamic headscarf at Turkish universities. The rally was organized by women's organizations and supported by 60 NGOs.
Similar rallies took place simultaneously elsewhere, including in İzmir, Antalya, Kayseri, Adana, Mersin, Sivas, Bartın, Bolu, Denizli, Çanakkale, Samsun, Bodrum and Zonguldak provinces.
During the rally, citizens condemned the AKP government's efforts, aided by the MHP, to lift the ban on the Islamic headscarf at Turkish universities.
Crowds with every age group and gender, including some women in headscarves, took to the streets to protest against the proposed bill.
The protesters carried Turkish flags and pictures of Ataturk, but no posters, and chanted slogans such as "Turkey is secular and will remain secular" and "We are Ataturk's soldiers," and denounced the Islamist AKP and Prime Minister Erdogan.
Source: Milliyet, Hurriyet, Cumhuriyet, Turkey, February 3-4, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5106.htm
Istanbul University Strongly Criticizes Government's Headscarf Initiative
The rector and other faculty at Istanbul University yesterday criticized the government's plan to lift the ban on wearing Islamic headscarves at universities.
At a meeting of 1,000 academicians including the university's deans, professors and other faculty members, Rector Prof. Mesut Parlak claimed that the headscarf supporters are endangering Turkey by creating camps and tension within society, and said that the core principles of the Republic were being trampled in the guise of "freedom of education."
Parlak added that the issue should have been handled with the participation of all sectors of society, and complained that the universities had not been consulted on the issue.
Prof. Parlak's speech was often interrupted by lengthy standing ovations.
During the gathering, a statement by the university senate was read; it asserted that the lifting of the headscarf ban was contrary to the principle of secularism and to the spirit of the Turkish Constitution.
The statement also said, "Political interests and choices disguised as 'freedom of religion' cannot be allowed to threaten scientific freedom in the universities. Turkey will not become a stage for shari'a games or for the exploitation of religion. We cannot turn a blind eye to those who intentionally or ignorantly undermine our social order."
Some professors at Istanbul University, most of them women, have threatened to boycott their classes if the changes are implemented.
Source: Hurriyet, Turkish Daily News, CNNTurk TV, February 1, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5026.htm
Imam-Hatip Group: Not Only Headscarf, But Other Islamist Attire Should Be Allowed To Enrich Universities
Imam Hatip (Islamist Schools) Graduates and Members Foundation president Yusuf Ziyaeddin Sula has called the "under-the-chin headscarf formula" proposed by AKP and MHP politicians to allow students with headscarves to enter Turkish universities "disgusting and shameful."
Sula noted that not only should the headscarf be allowed, but so should other religious clothing, such as prayer coats, cloaks and wide pants (Islamist men's garments), that would add to the "richness and variety" at the universities. He added that no one should be able to interfere with the turban (headscarf).
He said, "What do they propose, posting gendarmerie in front of schools to check whether the girls' turbans are knotted or pinned? This is disgusting. It is a human right to wear whatever you want. If freedom is brought to the universities, the same freedoms should be allowed in the public arena too."
Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, January 31, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5025.htm
Constitution Professor Ozbudun Concerned About Girls Who Don't Wear Headscarf
The Mainstream Turkish daily Milliyet said, on its front page headline, that Prof. Ozbudun is concerned about girls who don't wear the wearing headscarf, and quoted him as saying, "Turkey is a country with plenty of provocateurs. We must provide constitutional protection for girls who do not wear the headscarf. I find it bothersome to see that no limitation has been defined in the proposed amendments against violation of the freedoms of others."
Prof. Ozbudun heads the committee of academicians commissioned by the AKP to draft a new Turkish constitution.
Source: Milliyet,Turkey, January 31, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5022.htm
Alevi-Bektashi Federation Accuses AKP Government Of Trampling Alevi, Non-Muslim Rights – As It Permits Headscarf
The Alevi-Bektashi Federation said in a statement that the AKP and MHP are continuing to discriminate against Turkey's other identities and colors, and that these political parties are denying the Alevis and non-Muslims their rights and freedoms; supporting discriminatory policies that deny, ignore, and eliminate different identities and force assimilation on Alevis and non-Muslim minorities as they pretend to be "pro-freedoms" only when it comes to the Islamic turban.
The federation said that the initiative to lift the headscarf ban aims to put women under pressure, and is a manifestation of the ideology that wants to create an umma out of the obedient followers [of Islam].
Source: Bianet.org, Turkey, January 31, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5021.htm
Turkey's Top General Breaks Military's Silence On Headscarf
After lengthy silence on the hotly debated turban issue, Turkey's chief of general staff hinted yesterday at the military's opposition to lifting the Islamic headscarf ban in universities – one day after AKP government and the opposition MHP jointly introduced the bill to Parliament.
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Buyukanit told reporters in his first remarks on the matter during a meeting with the visiting Macedonian defense minister, "All segments of Turkish society know what the military thinks about the [Islamic] headscarf issue. To say anything would be nothing more than stating the obvious. This is why I do not want to say anything."
Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkish Daily News, January 31, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5020.htm
CHP Leader Baykal: Politicians Can't Guarantee Secularism, The PM Himself Is The Menace
The leader of Turkey's main opposition party (CHP), Deniz Baykal, yesterday criticized PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan for recently calling himself the "guarantor" of Turkey's secularism.
Baykal told the news channel NTV: "Who is he to claim the guardianship of secularism? By no means can politicians – who come and go – guarantee the constitutional system in a country. The PM is damaging the constitution and its principles himself, yet he demands our trust. This is dangerous indeed. It is our law, our democratic institutions, the Constitutional Court, and the citself that are the guarantees."
Source: Aksam, Turkey, February 1, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5019.htm
TUSIAD Strikes At Criticism Of Its Anti-Headscarf Stance: "Those Who Try To Break Turkey Away From Civilization Can't Teach Us Democracy"
All Turkish media organs reported on the harsh comments by the powerful Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), that came in response to MHP leader Devlet Bahceli's earlier criticism of TUSIAD's interference in the legislature's work on the turban.
In a written statement, the association said that the hasty and careless way in which the turban issue is being dealt with exposes how some parties are secretly planning to sway Turkey from its path to becoming a modern, civilized country.
It added that TUSIAD would continue to express its views on the subject, and that "those who ignore the decisions of the Constitutional Court, the European Court For Human Rights, and the Copenhagen Criteria, and who try to break Turkey away from its European Union membership process, cannot preach about democracy."
Source: Hürriyet, Turkey, January 31, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/5016.htm
Turkish PM's Office Denies Asking U.S. Not To Call Turkey "Secular"
The Islamist Fethullah Gulen-affiliated, pro-AKP daily Zaman reported that the Prime Ministry's Information Center released today a statement denying as "false and baseless" a report [in Hurriyet] that said that the AKP had asked the U.S. administration not to use the word "secular" when referring to Turkey.
According to the statement, publishing such claims based on nonexistent [U.S.] and unverifiable sources is an example of irresponsible conduct and an intentional act of disinformation.
Source: Zaman, Turkey, January 30, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4941.htm
Ankara Chides Clinton, Obama On Genocide
Ankara expressed its regret over recent statements by U.S. Democratic presidential candidates who have pledged to officially recognize the controversial World War I-era killings of Anatolian Armenians as 'genocide' if elected president.
In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, "Efforts to cast a shadow over our history in the name of an internal struggle within the party offend the Turkish nation and increase our sadness. Politicians who run for the U.S. presidency should act more responsibly with regard to both the history and the future; they should take pains not to offend a friendly ally country and its people with groundless accusations; and they should keep in mind the sensitivities of Turkish-American relations."
Source: Zaman, Turkey, January 28, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4940.htm
Ankara Cold to U.S. Warning On Iranian Bank
A U.S. warning to scrutinize the activities of the Turkey-based Iranian Bank Mellat has not been welcomed by Ankara. Turkey says it cannot simply suspend Iranian Bank Mellat's operations in the country at the U.S.'s request.
A diplomat told the Turkish Daily News, "What binds Turkey are the resolutions of the United Nations, and not U.S. presidential decrees or congress decisions," and added that Ankara's negative reaction does not mean that Turkey is any less cautious about Iranian nuclear prospects.
Source: Turkish Daily News, January 30, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4932.htm
AKP To U.S.: Don’t Call Turkey "Secular"
Based on an unidentified and "important" U.S. source, Turkey's top selling, mainstream daily Hurriyet reported that the ruling AKP has requested that the U.S. administration not use the term "secular" when referring to Turkey.
President Bush indeed omitted the word during Turkish President Abdullah Gul's recent visit to the U.S.
According to the same U.S. source that spoke to Hurriyet, the AKP government expressed its discomfort at Washington's emphasis on the term "secular democracy" and told the U.S. administration that the word "democracy" should suffice.
Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, January 30, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4920.htm
Palestinian Foreign Office To Meet In Ankara
Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey Nabil Maarouf said that Palestinian ambassadors from around the world will gather in Ankara next month to assess Palestine's foreign policy.
Maarouf told the Islamist daily Zaman that holding the internal meeting of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in Ankara was a Palestinian initiative and was welcomed by Turkey.
Palestinian ambassadors are expected to arrive in Ankara on February 14 for a three-day meeting; they will be hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkish FM Ali Babacan will deliver welcoming remarks, and the visitors will also meet with President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Source: Zaman, Turkey, January 29, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4909.htm
PM Erdogan Angry About Photographs Published By Turkish Media
In the past two days, Turkey's mainstream dailies and some TV channels have shown photos of students taking the open high school exams in various schools around the country, under front-page headlines such as "Headscarves Appear in High Schools."
In the photos, the vast majority of the girls are wearing headscarves and some are in black chadors – both of which are banned. In some places, boys wore Islamic trousers (shalvar) and caps (takke).
PM Erdogan lashed out at the media for publishing the photos, calling them a provocation and an attempt to sabotage the legal process begun by his government to lift the headscarf ban in universities.
The Turkish Teachers Union [Egitim-Sen] demanded an investigation of the matter, and accused the Education Ministry of instructing school officials to allow the headscarfed students to take the exams.
Anti-Islamist circles in Turkey fear that once the headcover is permitted at universities, it will spill over to secondary and even elementary educational institutions as well.
Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, NTV, Turkey, January 29, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4905.htm
Iran Resumes Flow Of Natural Gas To Turkey
The Islamist Turkish daily Yeni Şafak today said in its headline, "Iran resumes flow of natural gas to Turkey" and added that Iran had resumed the shipping of natural gas to Turkey as of 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. One and a half to two million cubic meters of natural gas are pumped to Turkey every day. Iran cut gas supplies at the beginning of this month due to cold weather.
Source: Yeni Safak, Turkey, January 28, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4861.htm
PM Erdogan: We Got Immorality From The West
In a speech to Turkish graduate students going to study abroad, Prime Minister Erdogan made some controversial remarks that met with strong reactions from Turkey's mainstream media.
Erdogan said, "The poet who penned Turkish national anthem [the Islamist Mehmet Akif Ersoy] said that we should compete with the West's art and science; but, unfortunately, we adopted the immoralities of the West, that are contrary to our values."
He added that Turkey would continue to send students abroad for graduate studies so that they could [learn and] compete in order to reach beyond the art and science of the West, and asked the students to come back after their studies and work in Turkey.
The PM's remarks were questioned by the media, which asked what he meant by "the immoralities of the West," whether he was talking about Western women not being covered, and how Turkey could become a member of the E.U. when the PM thought the West was "immoral."
Source: Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Turkey, January 25, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4859.htm
"Big Business" In Turkey Worries About Constitutional Amendments
TUSIAD (Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association) Chairwoman Arzuhan Yalcindag said, "As the world is trying to fend off an economic crisis and it is clear that a difficult year lies ahead for Turkey, the nation is unfortunately fixated on the 'headscarf' issue. Our growth has slowed considerably and inflation is on an upward trend. Unemployment has begun to rise, with high current deficit account figures and weakened financial discipline."
She added that the world was approaching a global crisis, and that Turkey should concentrate all its energy on the economy, and on maintaining the European Union membership process.
In her speech at the TUSIAD general assembly, Yalcindag focused on the recent headscarf debate and the proposed constitutional amendments on the headscarf. She criticized the fact that the headscarf issue has been brought [by the prime minister] to the top of the agenda, when the focus should be the economy.
She said, "Our society has many serious problems, including inequality, deprivation of education, unemployment, and domestic violence. Therefore, there is an urgent need to bring our social and economic problems to the forefront, and to make our agenda compatible with the global agenda."
Source: Sabah, Hurriyet, Turkey, January 25, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4854.htm
Turkey Bans YouTube – Again
Turkey last week banned access to YouTube, because it offered a video allegedly "insulting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – Turkey's founder – and the founders of the state."
The last Turkish ban on access to YouTube ban was lifted two days later, after YouTube removed the videos in question.
On January 18, Ankara's 12th Court of Peace decided to ban access to the site because of a clip created and posted by a user called "Turkomaymun" [i.e.Turkishmonkey].
Another court, the 2nd Court of Peace of Sivas, issued an additional ban yesterday.
According to Turkish law, a court ban blocking access to a certain site can be removed only if the service provider removes the video.
Source: Today's Zaman, Turkey, January 24, 2008
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/4835.htm
