It is premature to jump to conclusion that the question of political Islam has been successfully addressed in Turkey.
NEW YORK: This is with reference to Tanvir Ahmad Khan’s article titled “Ramification of Erdogan’s victory” (June 20). While the Turkish election on June 12 is to be applauded for its civility, it is premature to jump to the conclusion that the question of political Islam has been successfully addressed in Turkey.
Although it is still a work-in-process, one must admire the maturity of the political leadership as well as the masses in terms of the approach that is being taken. Turkey is a ‘nation’ in the true sense of the word and not a bunch of ethnic groups possessing tribal tendencies, having their tails tied together in the name of religion.
At this point in time, Turkey has played its foreign policy cards very wisely. Once again, this was made possible by a civilian government that chucked the military generals out of politics. The armed forces are now restricted to defending the country against external threats and their role in creating mischief in domestic politics is largely minimised, if not totally extinguished. One hopes for the sake of this great nation that there will be no relapse on this front.
The lessons to be learnt from Turkey are: (1) To send the armed forces packing to do only what they are supposed to do and, (2) an Islamic country can and should project the soft and gentler face of Islam without resorting to Islamo-fascist methods.
Noor Nabi
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2011.
