Job Discussion Forums

[sixthchild]

Yep, the thin edge of the wedge and all that, does this now mean slowly and steadily the country will disappear under the headscarf and then the veil, does demoracy (Turkish style) really work like that?

[Wilsonthefarmer]

Wearing the headscarf has nothing to do with democracy (be it Turkish style or Western style!). It has to do with human right issues.

To understand the politics of headscarf in Turkey, I suggest you read the book entitled " Headscarf Politics in Turkey - A Postcolonial Reading" by Merve Kavakci Islam.
http://us.macmillan.com/headscarfpoliticsinturkey/MerveKavakciIslam

"Covering of Muslim women is often perceived as a sign of oppression in the Western eye. Nonetheless, there are a soaring number of women who choose to wear the Islamic headgear as a sign of their liberation and commitment to God. Although these women have long been of interest for the peoples of the Occident with endless material produced about them in the past, it was invariably through the monotonal voice of the Orientalist from a position of outside authority. Here the reader will hear, for a change, the insiders’ voices from within the Orient, the voices of the contemporary Turkish women who cover, willingly and yes, decisively. Their day to day struggles in search for their niche in the secular Turkish society is intended to open a new window and provide an alternative perspective for the Western reader"
http://us.macmillan.com/headscarfpoliticsinturkey/MerveKavakciIslam

"We have now abolished an archaic provision which was against the spirit of the republic. It's a step toward normalisation," Erdogan said in a parliamentary speech to his ruling party lawmakers.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/10/turkey-lifts-decades-old-ban-headscarves-201310814177943704.html

[sixthchild]

yeah that sounds all very jolly from a male pespective, but,,,,, the vast majority of women don't want to be covered, the big fear is that by peer pressure they will be forced to cover, now thats not very democratic, is it my friendly farmer.
Welcome to the new Islamic Turkish Republic!