"It's funny how you can come to a country like Turkey— that's 99% Muslim— and walk around cities like Istanbul, Izmir or Antalya, and see such liberal-minded Muslims dressed just like anyone else in Europe or America, who complain that their visas to Europe or the United States were rejected. And then you go to the London or Berkeley and see these fully veiled monstrosities covered head to toe chanting "death to America" or "Islam will win"
It kind of makes you wonder if the problem is religious extremism (a minority in many Muslim countries) or our sadomasochistic State Department that seems to have a hard-on for letting in the worst the Middle East has to offer."
No Love for Erdogan. Istanbul. Animal NY.
I can't say that I agree 100% with these thoughts. I will fall on one side though and say that Turkey is certainly a unique example, both in terms of politics and culture. You'd be hard pressed to find any Muslim majority country that encompasses secularism as much as the modern Turkish Republic. Prime Minister Erdogan and his set have done their best however in recent years to shake up the foundations and impose their own form of Islamic governance within the Turkish political sphere. Saying these steps have been controversial would be an understatement. Despite having significant popular support from traditional elements of society, mostly in rural areas in the Turkish heartland, Prime Minister Erdogan cannot still contend with some of Turkey's strongest sectors. The military in particular and its upper brass, as the guardians of the ethos of modern Turkey and secular culture, will not under any circumstance allow an Islamist take over of their country, and will be there to ensure the founding values of Ataturk stay in place.
The Future of Turkey. Young and Secular. NY Mag.
More profoundly, it's the younger generation, the youth, who represent the future of Turkey. It's clear they have now stepped up to the forefront, and are making their voices heard in a way that's unprecedented. The fearless attitude they carry, and willingness to stand up for themselves and their secular values places them in perhaps the most compelling position.
They won't let the powers in government and their supporters silence them. And as the core voice of the Gezi Park protests and a free Istanbul, these students decided that they won't be suppressed and that their future in no way, shape or form will be dictated by those who oppose their rights and values
Gezi Park, Istanbul. Summer 2013. NY Mag.
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