Bashir Goth at PostGlobal: Turk Leaders Religious, but Economy Strong

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Posted on December 21, 2007 16:12

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December 21, 2007 4:11 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on December 21, 2007 16:11

Onur:

It is hardly the case that AKP has proven its respect for secularism in Turkey. Their attitude in the presidential elections have shown that they are acting as Conquistadors, readying to capture the last secular bastions in the country such as the Judiciary, Military, etc. At least one fifth of the people and especially middle aged educated women do not have any confidence in this party. AKP's victory can only be a gain for those international actors who want a moderately Islamic country on the fringes of Europe, a country which they can show the radical Islamists as an example.

October 19, 2007 7:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on October 19, 2007 19:12

gorky:

for some reason islamists actvists are tryin to project AKP as good and onest people bu let us tell you that more than 2 ministers bought their sons a multi milion dollar ships and prime minister is wearing a 50.000usd worth of a watch. dont ignore the dialoges of islamist and seculerist in deciding what is reall happening in turkey.

August 14, 2007 3:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 14, 2007 15:28

AMviennaVA:

almaden: An interesting presentation. The terms you use point to a nationalist wish-list. Do remember that the last time Turkey invaded Iraqi Kurdistan, it failed. Also do remember that the Kurds are the only friends the US has in Iraq.

August 8, 2007 8:41 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 8, 2007 08:41

SERKAN:

Nice analysis of Turkey, but there is a fundemental misconception like many other comments of foreign observers. We do not have Islamist government in Turkey. Islam is the principle religion in Turkey and most of the Turks are sincere believers. However, there is a certain separation between religion and state in Turkey. No-party can claim that they will rule according to islamic laws and any law can not be regulated according to religion. It is true that founders of AKP; Recep T. Erdogan, Abdullah Gul etc. have political career derived from islamic roots. However, AKP is not only a party of the Islamists. There are millions of faithfull seculars who voted for AKP and they can take back their votes if the AKP forces the secular character of Turkey. Analyzing the current Turkish political structure requires a deep historical knowledge on Turkey's social, political and economical structures.

August 8, 2007 7:47 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 8, 2007 07:47

almaden:

Turkey's coming invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan to wipe out the PKK insurgents will surely gain credit points with Bush. This will put Turkey squarely into the fight against "terrorism". Even U.S. special forces are reported to be helping the Turks smash the Kurds, who only several hours ago were the doughty allies of the United States in Iraq. Naturally, the "anti-terror" invasion of Kurdistan will have collateral benefits for Turkey, notably, forestalling a Kurdish takeover of Kirkuk and its oil. Another of Turkey's reported allies in decimating the Kurds will be Iran, formerly of "Axis of Evil", with whom Turkey has a rich pipeline deal cooking. That would mean that Iran is both the enemy and ally of the bemused U.S. Yes, allowing Turkey to join the EU will be a "visionary step forward' indeed, just as Bush's invasion of Iraq was certainly a wonderful way to combat terrorism in Waziristan. Looks like a bumper year for the armaments industry everywhere.

August 7, 2007 11:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 7, 2007 23:12

Verse Infinitum :

As much as I've read and viewed media information about Turkey and The AKP (Justice and Development Party) I've never received any information from any source that The AKP was a threat. With the stock market rising to new historic record heights should have told the world that such investor and consumer confidence only reflects the optimism the electorate have for their country's future.
With emerging economies in Turkey and other countries like the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Malaysia, Jordan and other countries, the West as well as the former Soviet states, China and other nations have a precious opportunity to support those who choose progress for the common good over personal and ideological interests.
People in every existing nation, religion, race, creed, culture, and political viewpoints have honor, dignity, sacredness, and the ability along with determination to propel humanity into the next great golden age of global enlightenment. A golden age in which a constructive exchange of ideas would be made within a grand social mosaic of human identities existing worldwide.

August 7, 2007 1:05 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 7, 2007 13:05

Anonymous:

In all the very interresting comments i've read about Turkey nobody has said that if you buy turkish
debt you can get 19% interest and more if the Lira
strenghtens...Plenty of europeen banks have made big by lending
millions to Turkey,issuing bonds to private investors.That is why europeen politics are so upbeat with Erdogan who helps them to earn so much.
As long as the big money goes the right way they don't care a damn about religion;this year i've seen
much more women with scarfs and the rest than last year.

August 7, 2007 1:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 7, 2007 13:03

Anonymous:

In all the very interresting comments i've read about Turkey nobody has said that if you buy turkish
debt you can get 19% interest and more if the Lira
strenghtens...Plenty of europeen banks have made big by lending
millions to Turkey,issuing bonds to private investors.That is why europeen politics are so upbeat with Erdogan who helps them to earn so much.
As long as the big money goes the right way they don't care a damn about religion;this year i've seen
much more women with scarfs and the rest than last year.

August 7, 2007 1:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 7, 2007 13:03

lonewolf:

i just flat dont' get it! if goth truly rspects his own people as well as the rights of others, why is it always about money? is he a true practioner of islam, or is he a practioner of darwinistic economics? how can it be said that the past genocidal warfare that the turks have waged against the kurds is justifiable? this author is a fraud against his own heritage. the turks must find recociliation or face digrace and non-acceptance within the world community and especially the european union. otherwise what happened in the former yugoslavia will only be repeated again in the steppes of central asia and the middle east. there will be no other way. there are 35 million kurds that cannot possibly be ignored.

August 6, 2007 8:13 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 6, 2007 20:13

zaher:

Turkey will not become another Algeria. Kemalists and the military has suppressed Turkish Islamists over the years. Islamists never used violence. They always resurface peacefully. Erdogan himself was jailed for inciting religious fervor, but look at what his group has achieved!

Even in Sultan Abdul hamid's time, he didn't use violence against those who wanted remove him; even though he had the power to do so and no one would have blamed him if he had burned all Salonica and saved the nation's dignity. He didn't want Turks kill each other. However, the Turks paid him back by calling him a traitor and described him as "The Red Sultan".

Again, Moslems should stop caring about what the West think of them.

If Mr Goth thinks that the argument "war against Islam" is hollow, what about if we change it to "war for Oil in Iraq" or the "war for all what can be found in Darfur"

If Turkey didn't join EU, Turkey will be just Turkey.

August 5, 2007 3:33 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 5, 2007 15:33

Usama:

How is Mexico? Its a secular nation with a strong religious tradition, so strong that Catholicism dominates there. But what of the economy?

It has billionaires, but millions of poor and needy.

Or what about Thailand, a staunchly Buddhist nation with secular capitalist free market? What kind of equitable prosperity is Thailand experiencing?

Economics does save you, it only fixes you into a certain niche of the global economy dominated by America. Politics draws the borders, sets the monetary policies, advances the trade agreements, determines the fate of a nation. There is no reason for Muslims to accept any of it from the Western imperial monopolizing gratuitous, treacherous powers.

August 5, 2007 7:06 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 5, 2007 07:06

mohammad allam:

A nice analysis of Turkey.keep it up.

August 5, 2007 5:54 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 5, 2007 05:54

Robert of Los Angeles:

Neocon reporting for duty.
It's scary to agree with the Gothster but AKP is A-OK with us, because they seem to get the separation of church and state, at least in context of rule of law, rule of secular law that is. Since Turkey's secularism was born of one-party socialist dictatorship the consolidation of a majority of Muslims looking for modernization not victimization, progress not regress to the 13th century, it is is an overdue correction and shot in the arm (in the good sense) to those holding onto hope thru the Middle East. Islamist radicals - you live with that. "Christian" jingoists - God loves you but take the day off, please!!

August 4, 2007 11:08 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 23:08

Hondo:

Sam; Give it up ! The author was writing about Turkey, not the ancient Palestine mandate. Lay off Israel and Palestine. The core problem in the middle east is not Israel, its hate coming from persons, such as yourself,demoninzing people of the book. Take your hate to the Hamas blog !

August 4, 2007 10:30 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 22:30

halozcel:

Zaher,

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August 4, 2007 11:02 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 11:02

james hogan:

Yes it would be visionary...in the abstract..to take Turkey into the Eu..just as it would be visionary to open completely the borders between the US and Mexico to erase the problems of illegal immigration. If accepted into the EU, Turkey would be among the most populous countries and among the poorest, with an enormous pressure to immigrate into the more properous lands.
However, the German experience with massive Turkish immigration and assimulation has been well studied by Europeans, but has not been found reassuring.

The authors last statement certainly rings with idealism, but has little to do with addressing reality

August 4, 2007 9:05 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 09:05

zaher:

there will be a clash of civilization because the West wants it to be so. Moslesm must care about their countries more than thinking about their relationship with the west. Moslems must not care what the west think of them. if secular naked boys and girls voted for AKP because of economic performance, lets see who they will vote for if the economy goes down. Having a clean goverment, whcih is not corrupt,is one thing, and enjoing a good economic performance is another. Turks have a porno industry. Thier porn can be watched in European satalites. in one of these films a Turkisah woman who is putting the headscarf,meets her fornication partner and...Turks do not keep their filth,sins, in their bedrooms, like most of other Moslems,they expose it. how many moslem countries make porn movies and show them to the world. Unfortunately, Turks have a habit of loathing Islam and its absolute teachings, which dates back to the movements that originated from Salonic, which is also the place form which their father came. unlike other moslems, Turks take pride in making sins. Moslems must live in clean places and societies in which they could bring up their children and not in a brothel.AKP must stay with in the borders of Turkey and must not consider themselves as model or even as a source of inspiration to other Moslems, if they are truely Allah-fearing bunch.

August 4, 2007 7:15 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 07:15

Anonymous:

It is interesting how Western inspired democratic practices in the middle east only lead to the rise of Islamist parties.Hamas in Palestinian territories, AKP in Turkey, Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt despite all the rigging by the ruling secular party and in September JDP party in Morocco have all risen or will rise thanks to elections. Does really democracy and Islam contradict, or do they jive together?

August 4, 2007 2:57 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 02:57

usama:

Lowly secularists get excited by Turkey's economic policies, but ignore the reality of world economics being dominated by America via its flowing dollar monetary policies coupled with the massive trade deficits used to manipulate nations flanked by the monopolization of the core geo-political economic markets: grain, beef, oil among others.
Look how secular Egypt is a servant to America and Europe, requiring EU food imports just to feed its people. Look how Iraq, also a secular nation totally dependent on foreign imports, was crippled by embargoes. So called economic 'tigers' SKorea has industrialized, but it needed decades of dictatorships, and today requires 1000s of American troops to defend it and is divided with its self, leaving millions of its people to starve in NKorea.

Goth is a fool to assume Turkey's economics will lift it out of its dilemma: economics are a key factor in shaping world events and Turkey's future.
Alone Turkey is weak. The EU is a 12.6 trillion dollar GDP while Turkey is only 635 billion.
Turkey still relies 35% on agriculture, has 10% unemployment, 20% below poverty level and a per capita income of 9,000. It still doesn't manufacture major machinery, relying on EU, Russia, and China for that, exporting mostly food products, textiles, apparel.

Turkey has economic development potential, but will it be moral, ethical, equitable, or just another example of capitalism focussing on production by ignoring distribution of wealth, allowing for massive underclasses while a new uberrich take charge. Secularists compromise morality, political and economic justice just to stay in power and exercise their arrogance of engineering other people's affairs.

What happens when Turkey runs afoul of EU or American geo-political interests?

August 4, 2007 1:51 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 01:51

Anonymous:

The AKP victory in Turkey is part of the Neocons’ moderate Islam project in Middle East. I remember not long ago AKP chief Tayyip’s top advisor begging in American Enterprise Institute, for their support in exchange for using Tayyip for their imperialist goals in Middle East. He was just begging “please exploit Tayyip, use Tayyip”. This was well publicized in the Turkish press.

Washington Post is a mouthpiece of Neocons. I have been following Washington Post for the last 35 years. They seldom write on Turkey. Within the last week, we find all these articles praising AKP. It was well publicized in Turkey that the Neocons want to use AKP as an example of moderate Islam in other predominantly Moslem countries to reach their goals. There are no similarities between Turkey and all these supposedly Moslem countries, e.g., Indonesia, Somalia, etc.. This is ridiculous. How far Washington Post can go trying to fool American people and those people living so called predominantly Moslem countries ? This is a perfect example that the corporate media believes that if they spend enough money they can make the public believe anything. This is how the logic of corporate media works. If you spend enough capital you will always achieve your goal. The truth is irrelevant.

It is absurd to credit the recent economic growth to AKP. AKP came to power when the economy was bottoming out. Then, it rode on the natural business cycle. Plus the World economic growth conjuncture coincided with it. I expected Washington Post even though serving to certain ideology to have some minimal standards on the articles they published. The articles published on Turkey this week, reveals only the hidden racism of Washington Post. These are Moslems after all, anything goes.

Turkey is secular and will remain secular whether imperialists like it or not !

August 4, 2007 12:12 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 4, 2007 00:12

Tarik:

Norman Whitman:

Sir you are making a bogus assertion.
You are still dependent on Middle East Oil and Middle East Religions.
Remember neither Jesus,Moses or Mohammad was born in London,Paris or New York.
Inspite of such great advances in science and arts the West has not found a Prophet or a new religion.
As far as I know there are only two men in the entire history of mankind who were born outside the known centers of power and achieved totally unprecedented success and influence on the world stage. They are Ghengis Khan and Prophet Mohammad.
And it has been 1500 years since..
Maybe you should try Baklava!

August 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 22:29

almaden:

The camel's nose is now under the tent. Turkish secularism is past. The moderate Islamic Turks recently elected will inevitably be followed, once the economy turns sour, by Islamic extremists and resentment against the West. The current success of Europe is founded on secular values. What will Europe do with a Turkey gradually sliding toward Islamic values that are, frankly, antithetical to modernism wherever they are seriously imposed? The models are the Taliban and Iran and, now, southern Iraq. The current, elected rulers of Turkey are the Kerenskys and Shahs likely to be followed by much less savory Islamists. It is only a matter of time.

August 3, 2007 9:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 21:55

Anonymous:

Once again it is proven, moderate Islamic rulers who arent tyrants set up by the West are great rulers. Example - Dubai UAE. Turkey.
If the West would just quit propping up dictators who allow terrorism to foster thus bolstering their rule, moslem nations could clean up their own mess. But when Western countries continue to bring us tyrants ( saddam), then turn on them, bringing war and devastation to our countries, there will never be a way for us to eradicate terrorism fully. Oh America, do you not see the dictators you have helped ( saudi arabia) are the true terrorists? They are the one who tauught Wahhabism. Turkey reminds me of when moslem countries were the example of success and Western countries were still using the gouilitine on each other.
Eradicate Islam. Lol. It is the fastest growing religion. 2nd largest and soon to be the first. You dont have enough nukes! And very nice and racist of u.
Impeach Bush!

August 3, 2007 7:52 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 19:52

Basat Tayfun:

Turkey's economic growth over the last few years is indeed impressive. But, as everyone knows, GDP measures do not capture the entire truth and are not necessarily permanent. For example, the huge trade and budget deficit is something to worry about. The total foreign debt carried is now larger than GDP! At the same time, the last few days have demonstrated quite clearly how dependent Turkey is to cheap credit; fluctuations in the US market due to the mortgage mess (indicating a risk of a credit squeeze, if not crunch) sent shudders through the stock market. Then, there is the indisputable reality of smuggled wealth from Turkey's troubled southern neighbor, Iraq, worth billions and billions of dollars to an economy measured also in billions.

Governments that rely heavily on credit to expand their economies remind me shopping on store credit. I, too, can look wealth(ier) simply by maxing out on my credit cards and using yet more credit cards to manage the payments. Eventually, we have to pay down that debt -- with interest and more.

I cannot wait for a secular party to come to power only to be blamed for the problems of having to face the enormous debt. I am sure that will "prove" that secularism is bankrupt!!!!

August 3, 2007 7:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 19:48

Mohamed, Abdi:

Mr.Goth I agree with you. AKP not only won in Turkish politics,but aslo proofed that muslim people can be good rulers.

August 3, 2007 7:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 19:19

GreenViews:

Neither the Turkish parties, nor the ones in parliament in Pakistan deserve the title "Islamist".

As Muslims we refuse to accept foster parentage of Neocon failures in Afghanistan and Iraq in perpetuating "perpetual warfare".

Bin Laden and the Talibaan were created by the CIA to defeat the USSR and the remnants of the communist regimes in Afghanistan. Syed Qutub, the founder of "Islamic Brotherhood" was supported by the USA against the Socialist pro-Moscow Gamal Nasir. Similarly the Hamas was created by Sharon to counterbalance the PLO which was claiming to be the sole representative of the Palestinians. In supporting these organizations, the USA has created Frankenstein monsters that crated blowback not only for America, Muslims, but the entire planet.

We are all suffering from terror.

August 3, 2007 7:09 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 19:09

GreenViews:

An excellent article but it has a grave errors in it. Words are important. We must be careful.There is no religion called "Islamism"--"Islamist" is a Neocon concoction to demonize one of the greatnesses religions of the world and obfuscate the differences between Islam and the foreign policy failures of the United States and other countries. We cringe each time we see Islam being demonized. We reject jargon which conjugates Quranic words and uses them for nefarious purposes. The common man cannot differentiate between Islamic and "Islamist." That is the real purpose of creating these words.

As Muslims we refuse to accept foster parentage of Neocon failures in Afghanistan and Iraq in perpetuating "perpetual warfare".

August 3, 2007 7:07 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 19:07

Ibrahim Mahfouz:

Why is the AK leadership appointing Islamists in sensitive posts including the country's presidency? The improvement in the economy should be counted for them,but if I were a secular Turk I shall keep a close eye on this ruling party to make sure they do not have a private agenda other than their public one.

August 3, 2007 6:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 18:55

Anonymous:

Boris Petroff,
Islam is indestractable;U can now go and have a good night sleep and don't drink the same stuff again...

August 3, 2007 5:58 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 17:58

Asim:

There is such a fundamental difference between an Attaturk Secular Military Dictatorship and a western Liberal Democracy which only materalized and truely implemented by AK-the first time in modern Turkey.
The AK's land slide victory is an historical milestone, a significant socio-political development and an unequivocal proof that Islam and liberal democracy are compatible. The AK is a savvy and wise lot and they won the elections strictly on the merits of their performance: ethics and credibility, and Not only economic growth but most importantly AK political achievement especially their full commitment to liberal democracy-without political stability and transperency,there would be no economic prosperity.

This is really a fresh breath of air not for Turkey only but for the entire Arab and Muslim world to emulate the good Turkish example.

The Attaturk model failed miserably: since 1923, it achieved nothing but a secular dictatorship based on anti-religion-where as a true liberal democracy as the case is with European/Western model is based not only on separation of church and state but the protection and freedom of religion. Clearly this victory is a proof that a Muslim can be both a Muslim and a democrat.

The AK has done in a few years what the secular military dictatorship could not do at the barrel of a gun for over eighty years. AK implemented true liberal democracy-meaning separation of Mosque and state and yet a protector of the freedom of religion. The so called secularists were so insecure they made an issue of even what a woman puts on her head and not what is inside it.

The Turkish military establishment is a mortal threat to the true liberal democracy in Turkey. The AK victory should once and for all put an end to the military's interference in politics-they should, as the case is in any true democracy, stay in their barracks and receive orders from the elected civilian government.

Turkey stood shoulder to shoulder as heavy weight member of NATO especially in the defense of Europe for 50 years during the cold war.Europe should no longer drag its feet on admitting Turkey into EU;if European intransigence persists in blocking Turkey's membership to EU, Turkey should turn its face towards the Muslim world particularly its Arab neighbors and jointly create a productive synergy.Under the leadership of AK and without EU membership,Turkey achieved very high economic growth rates and does not need to keep begging Europe for entrance to EU.

August 3, 2007 5:52 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 17:52

Boris Petroff:

While on the surface it may appear that the AKP is a social moderate and politically progressive organization, it only postures in those mode to gain support. Yet again, Greasy Goth speaks to promote and defend sneaky and deceitful Islamic institutions. The west and the far east should remain vigilant against all Islamic influences and eventually consolidate in a position to destroy Islam once and for ever.

August 3, 2007 4:40 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 16:40

Mark:

Mr. Whitman, I agree. Baklava has no place in America where the only patriotic desserts are ice cream and apple pie.

August 3, 2007 4:27 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 16:27

erik:

Reconciliation with the Muslim world! I love it! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH - Is that a baby I hear crying - WAAAAAHHHHHHH - To bad you can't see how many fingers I'm holding up right now. Maybe you should retitle your article, "Throat cutters and beheaders bring better economy to Turkey".

August 3, 2007 4:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 16:19

Hubert Schulz:

how horrible Norman Whitman! Your namesake Walt would be ashamed!!! You clearly have no idea what you are talking about and have no idea about Turkey. - I guess your Christian faith made you hate people so much.

August 3, 2007 3:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 15:47

Hubert Schulz:

yes, I totally agree. I like the point about Bush invoking god all the time. His faith did not exactly bring any good into today's world, rather the contrary. The Turkish progress over the last few years can indeed serve as an example. I would only hope they will be able to solve the Kurdish problem peacefully.

August 3, 2007 3:42 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 15:42

norman whitman:

PLEASE GO BACK TO YOUR DESSERTS AND LEAVE AMERICA ALONE - I BELIEVE THAT YOUR ARE THE FIRST IMMIGRANTS WE ALL CAN HATE.

August 3, 2007 3:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 15:37

SAM:

What a great set up they have in turkey.The majority of Turks are Moslems but all turks regardless of their religion live together with equal rights and duties in a secular state.
If such set up existed in Israel,which is the core of all problems in the Middle East,where Jews,Christians and Moslems live in one secular state, away from the so -called Jewish state,all problems in the area would come to an end.
Unfortunately all jews all over the world are currently welcome to Israel as full citizens upon their arrival in Israel, while the original land owners,Palestinan refugees are not given this right,being non jews.Cruel apartheid,isn't it.

August 3, 2007 3:23 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 15:23

Adam B. Cordover:

I have read many columns and articles refer to the AKP as an Islamist party, but nothing could be further from the truth.

An Islamist party would have a goal of restructuring a polity to conform with Sharia. The AKP, on the other hand, is committed to democracy and secularism.

Though the party believes that people should be able to display their religiosity in public instititions, it does not intend to force religion on anyone. Thus, it is not an "Islamist Party."

http://cordover.blogspot.com

August 3, 2007 1:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 13:12

Osman:

Very well said. I agree that economic prosperity repels extremist breeding grounds. Turkey's economic prosperity has nothing to do with the Erdogan's wife wearing a head scarf orhis religion. As a matter of fact, wearing head scarfs and other such acts related to Islam have gone down during Erdogan's rule.

August 3, 2007 11:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 11:49

Anonymous:

Secularist modernism amongst the populace is the reason for hope and good economics, and any good prospects for the future.

A religious political victory is just a sign of political power.

Non-corrupt, competent leadership can come from leaders of any background, including Islam, but also from non-Islamic backgrounds.

Religion has not invented the automobile, developed anti-biotics, air-conditioning, earthquake resistant construction techniques, jet planes, MRI machines, heart bypass surgery, television, radio, tractors, stock exchanges, etc...

May Turkey remain peaceful and prosperous, and uphold human rights and justice (including within its borders).

August 3, 2007 11:45 AM | Report Offensive Comments

Posted on August 3, 2007 11:45

Bashir Goth

Somalia/UAE

Bashir Goth

Somalia/UAE

Turk Leaders Religious, but Economy Strong

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