Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MowCowWhoHow III

(2,103 posts)
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 05:51 AM Apr 2016

Turkey needs religious constitution, parliament speaker says

Source: Reuters

Overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey needs a religious constitution and the precept of secularism should be dropped from the country's new charter, parliament's speaker said, marking a potential rupture with the modern republic's founding principles.

The ruling AK Party, which has roots in political Islam, is pushing to replace the existing constitution, which dates back to the period after a 1980 military coup.

Critics fear a new charter could concentrate too much power in the hands of President Tayyip Erdogan, who wants an executive presidency to replace the current parliamentary system. The government has pledged that European standards on human rights will form the basis of the new text.

"For one thing, the new constitution should not have secularism," parliament speaker Ismail Kahraman said in a speech late on Monday, according to videos published by Turkish media. "It needs to discuss religion ... It should not be irreligious, this new constitution, it should be a religious constitution," said Kahraman.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-politics-constitution-idUSKCN0XN0MD

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Turkey needs religious constitution, parliament speaker says (Original Post) MowCowWhoHow III Apr 2016 OP
"For one thing, the new constitution should not have secularism" Democat Apr 2016 #1
Turkey needs to be kicked out of NATO. roamer65 Apr 2016 #2
Agreed. They are not at all in line with NATO values anymore. Coventina Apr 2016 #4
Ataturk has to be rolling in his grave dhol82 Apr 2016 #3
Rolling on back even further to the 7th century... TipTok Apr 2016 #5
Early 20th century, but you're point is valid... n/t fullautohotdog Apr 2016 #7
Ever closer... TipTok Apr 2016 #8
I think this is the first time in my life I've said this... Johnyawl Apr 2016 #6
Ismail Kahraman (R) fred v Apr 2016 #9
Religious push sparks secularism row in Turkey MowCowWhoHow III Apr 2016 #10

Democat

(11,617 posts)
1. "For one thing, the new constitution should not have secularism"
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 08:01 AM
Apr 2016

Remember a few years ago when some thought that Turkey would soon be a member of the EU?

dhol82

(9,351 posts)
3. Ataturk has to be rolling in his grave
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 09:01 AM
Apr 2016

Well, at least they had close to a hundred years of a secular government.

Sad.

Johnyawl

(3,205 posts)
6. I think this is the first time in my life I've said this...
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 10:21 AM
Apr 2016

...I think it's time for a military coup. Fuck Erdogan.

MowCowWhoHow III

(2,103 posts)
10. Religious push sparks secularism row in Turkey
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 12:51 PM
Apr 2016
Religious push sparks secularism row in Turkey

Ankara (AFP) - Turkish police on Tuesday fired tear gas to break up a protest over a call for the country to adopt a religious constitution that has sparked concerns of creeping Islamisation in the traditionally secular state.

Officers in riot gear clashed with a crowd of more than 100 demonstrators outside parliament, an AFP photographer reported.

The group chanted "Turkey will remain secular" as police tussled with the crowd, detaining several protesters.

"The police's mission is to protect secularism and rights. This boy is fighting for a secular regime," opposition MP Mahmut Tanal told officers, as he helped a dazed demonstrator stand after the police push.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-police-fire-tear-gas-religious-constitution-protest-003153851.html?ref=gs
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Turkey needs religious co...