Headscarf

[Guest odeon]

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After 1980 Turkish coup, headscarf banned in the public sector. Clearly it was an issue of human rights and freedoms. Nowadays the Islamist government lifts the ban. But, the Turkish people separated as seculars and Islamists in the thirty years. The Islamists describes themselves as victim. It was true in the past, but the seculars lives same victimization now. This case connected with Turkey's axis shift.

 

Headscarf by Hulusi, on Flickr

[Karl G]

Interesting story and nice picture.

[pauledell]

Excellent picture with the related narrative. A very interesting view of Turkey.

 

Paul

[allamande]

I agree with your summary. The Islamists turned the country into a police state; Turkey currently has the largest number of journalist jailed in the world right now, (all one has to do is write something criticizing the government). This lifting of the headscarf ban has nothing to do with human rights. Human rights of secular Turks are violated every day by restricted movement, speech, freedom to assemble, resticted liberty.

 

During our last visit to Istanbul in August, my daughter wanted to see the Topkapi Museum. There is a section of the museum where certain artifacts related to Islamic history are displayed, some with highly dubious provenance (such as Prophet's beard, staff of Moses! etc.). When we entered that section, my daughter and I were asked to cover our heads! I thought it was absurd as this place is supposed to be a museum, not a mosque. I refused and waited outside while she went ahead, as she was just too curious and naive to understand the deep meaning associated with this outrageous and totally baseless requirement. The main point is this: I've been to Topkapi many times over many decades and have never experienced such violation of individual rights.

 

Ece

[Guest odeon]

@allamande

 

Dear Ece,

 

I mentioned it as axis shift. The government leaves the Western world. Turkish PM desires an Arabic Turkey. He wants to erase the Turk culture. Because historical and philosophical, Turk culture is different than Islam. In fact, Turks believed Shamanism before Islam. Arabic culture is closer to Islam.

 

You can see the Arabic sign in the headscarf on my photo. Traditional Turkish headscarves are unlike this.