Turkey
Reader comment on item: Is Turkey Going Islamist?

Submitted by Werner (United States), Jun 12, 2005 at 12:40

Turkey has in contrast to the other muslim countries a long time democracy. That is something one shouldn't discard lightly because it creates a certain mindset which can not be so easily overthrown.

Another point is that Turks are not Arabs. Turkey was a kind of colonial power in the middle east and therefore may not be very much liked by arabs. which I guess is versa visa. Islamism has its roots in Arab countries. Islamism in Turkey maybe considered as foreign and may not align itself with Arab Islamism. At least turkish terrorists are not a trademark of Islamism.

Turkey watches what is going on on the other side of its borders in Iran, Iraq and Syria. That is much closer to them. I don't think they want those circumstances. Turkeys are also aware of the slaughtering of turkish contractors in Iraq.

If Turkey is going islamic what would the US do? Just watch? Clearly the EU doesn't have the vigor to deal with such a situation properly, they are even afraid now.

Turkey is trading with the small fish like arab countries and South Africa not because it wants to but because it has to. Turkey wants into the EU, even Erdogan wants that. They are after the big fish.

Turkey doesn't want to bind itself to Arab countries but to formerly Christian Europe. That means for them that european values and lifestyle have an appeal to them.

Turkey is an islamic country but is not an islamistic country. In the past they had Jewish people living among them they had and have Christian Armenians living among them, they have Greek Orthodox clergy there (greece is the age-old adversary of Turkey).

I believe that the climax of Islamism is already over. Most people in muslim countries don't want terrorism. Especially as it is more and more clear, that they will be a target too, as for the islamistic branch there is only one Islam which is right.

Changes in the Muslim world are already on the way. The action the US has taken is going to bear fruit if it is going to stand its course.

I don't think that Turkey is jumping on a sinking ship.

Greetings

W.

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