Turkish secularists, and others of similar mind in Europe, have gone way overboard on this issue of the headscarves, using a symbol and instrument of personal piety as a surrogate for threats to their country's national identity and governance system. Women and girls wearing headscarves certainly are a symbol of Islamic identity spreading in society, and they do reflect growing numbers of individuals who manifest their religiosity in their dress and behavior. This should not be a problem, any more than holding national prayer breakfasts in Washington, D.C.
Such personal religiosity is also gaining public expression in other lands where religion and politics often mix, including the U.S., Israel, Lebanon and other places. It is best handled by explicitly distinguishing between personal piety and the exercise of public political power and authority. It should be considered a perfectly acceptable expression of personal piety for a woman to wear a headscarf, just as for a strapping, born-again Christian football player to kneel and pray in the end zone after he scores a touchdown in the U.S.
Secularists in Turkey and elsewhere should respond to the headscarves issue by exploring more deeply why so many Muslims have embraced their religion more explicitly; they will find that the political and economic system in their country is probably failing many people, who find succor and security in faith, family, community and other communal structures.
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