I will take the risk and make a claim about the future of Turkey

If anything emerges as a result of my declaration, anyone can bring this article before me.    Â

 

Turkey has made the first step towards solving the headscarf issue at universities through legitimate means.

 

What is more, this step has been made by the most appropriate institution and people.

 

This issue that for years has been disturbing the country’s social psychology was put on the path towards a solution by the leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal, when he pinned party rosettes welcoming veiled women into the party.

 

* * *

 

I have believed for years that only the CHP would find a legitimate solution to the headscarf issue at universities.

 

The path has been defined and no matter what some might say, this course should be followed through until the end.

 

This is my proposal to both the CHP and those who plan to vote for this party.

 

Labor Party leader, Tony Blair, became Britain’s most successful prime minister in 20 years.

 

What does he do now?

 

He works in the field of theology, in other words he undertakes academic studies on the subject of religion.

 

He declared that himself to be a practicing Catholic.

 

So, is Baykal less of a believer than the former Britain prime minister?

 

Baykal has been a believer, not just from yesterday, but since his youth.

 

But he has never attempted to use religion as a medium during his politic career.

 

I am sure he will continue to follow this path.

 

Therefore, I sincerely support his new opening out.

 

He should ignore those saying "The CHP may lose its traditional core voters by making such a move."

 

By using this situation to decide our vote and to block the resolution of this issue, is the same as saying that we use belief for political means. This is no different to using the headscarf for political means, and therefore religion for as a political tool.

 

The normalization of politics in Turkey is wholly dependent upon bring in an end to the exploitation of religious symbols.

 

* * *

 

I expect critics to say that it would be impossible to wrestle religious symbols from the strong-hold of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and other similar parties.

 

Today, the headscarf at universities, tomorrow the headscarf in state institutions, and next it will be headscarves in parliament, followed by establishing Friday as a day of rest and Koran courses on the next ...

 

We have seen clear examples in our recent history that the borders for the exploitation of religion are blurred.

 

But a wise contemporary political party could establish and define these borders and free Turkey from the AKP's belief monopoly.

 

Equality in politics will only start at that time.

 

And then everything, including the deteriorating economy, unemployment, substandard education, poorly designed cities, rising corruption, and the favoring of circles close to the government would become clearly apparent once the headscarf issue is solved.

 

Therefore, I invite those influential on CHP's supporters and members to consider this very carefully.

 

Because, unless the unfairness that surrounds the exploitation of religion is ended, the only road that remains for Turkey is the road to dictatorship.

 

The indicators of this fascist course are already visible in the business world, in social organizations and in the mass media.

 

A catastrophic end awaits us if this political course is not balanced by another factor.

 

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