Historical Trend

Submitted by Vijay (United Kingdom), Jun 13, 2010 at 05:33

Decay of Ataturk's secular vision for Turkey can be put on Europe's doors.

Turkey was ruthlessly brought into a secular order when European secular/rational culture was at it's peak. For the last 20 years European countries, governments and societies treat militant Islam and Islamism with kid gloves , fawning over it wherever possible. Since Europe was Turkey's model, these changes in the European attitude to islam have cut the ground under Ataturk's secular vision and given a massive boost to Islamists.

Just to give a small example, burqa is tolerated at all levels in Britain. Even Islamic polygamy is encouraged by stealth by the British social securities policies. All these things give a confidence to Islamists and makes Turkish hardline - such as it was 20 years back - look foolish in the eyes of Turks. So, they give up the pretense to secular outlook. Who can blame them.

Also decidedly fundemntalist regimes like saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy the patronage of the US. The US policy for the last 30 years has been to tread softly on Islam , islamic sentiments, Islamic medievealism and Islamists. This US policy does not encourage maintaining secular order in any Muslim country.

Turkey sees a greater role playing it's ethinic and religious card in Central Asia and Middle East than being a third rate power under US leadership. Good luck to Turks.

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