Source: BBC
Turkey’s PM Ahmet Davutoglu. The Muslim Times is promoting Secularism in every country of the world
Turkey’s PM Ahmet Davutoglu has said the country’s new constitution will feature the principle of secularism.
He said Turkey’s secular and democratic character was “not up for debate”.
His comments came a day after a key member of the ruling AK party (AKP) called for secularism to be taken out of the constitution.
Parliamentary speaker Ismail Kahraman, who is overseeing the draft charter, said Turkey was a Muslim country and should have a religious constitution.
Turkey is a Nato member and aspires to join the EU, which has traditionally regarded the country as a model of secular democracy in the Islamic world.
But critics of the government fear the modern state’s secular foundations are being eroded.
Opposition parties also fear the new constitution could concentrate too much power in the hands of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who wants an executive presidency to replace the current parliamentary system.
‘Personal views’
In a speech on Wednesday, Mr Davutoglu said: “Secularism will feature in the new constitution we draft as a principle that guarantees citizens’ freedom of religion and faith and that ensures the state is an equal distance from all faith groups.”
It is the most sensitive faultline in Turkish society – secularism versus Islamism – and the parliamentary speaker exposed it yet again. Since the 1920s, the Turkish constitution has disavowed a state religion.
Secularists say that allowed Turkey to be embraced by the West and that it is a cornerstone of national identity. But as the Islamists gained power under Mr Erdogan, the balance tipped and the pious now feel today’s constitution must reflect their religious identity.
In a country at one with itself, where both sides coexist peacefully, this issue could be discussed in a rational way. But Turkey is so profoundly polarised, so riven by mistrust between supporters and opponents of the government, that the topic has sparked fear and heated debate.
One side says it is a reflection of the fact that Turkey is around 97% Muslim. The other contends it is yet another attempt by an Islamist ruler to shape Turkey.
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Categories: Europe, Middle East, Secularism, The Muslim Times, Turkey