From the Boston Globe: “Top general warns of Islamic influence”
A top Turkish general said yesterday that increasingly powerful Islamist forces are threatening the country's secular system, and that the army would play its role in defending the country against them. General Ilker Basbug's comments appeared to be aimed at the Islamic-rooted government and the European Union officials who have called on the military to limit its role in state affairs. "The Turkish armed forces have always taken sides and will continue to do so in protecting the national state, the unitary state, and the secular state," Basbug said. Secular generals have led three coups since 1961.Turkey is a strange place: it’s a democratic, Muslim, NATO country but politicians are strictly forbidden from mentioning religion. (This caused the current prime minister some problems several years ago.) The army is the ultimate check against intermingling of church and state to keep Turkey a secular state.
1 comment:
Ataturk is one of the most important and interesting characters of the 20th century. His legacy may be key to other Muslim nations actually joining the modern world.
Post a Comment