Erdogan is coming to Ali's funeral? Blech!!!!

[Coventina]

That guy is gross.

Why in heck was he invited?!?!?

[BlueMTexpat]

1. Possibly because he is the President

of his country.

He is also Muslim, as was Ali.

[Coventina]

2. Yeah, but he seems to be the embodiment of everything Ali was against.

I don't get why the family would invite him.

[BlueMTexpat]

5. As with many heads of state,

Erdogan has done good things and some not so good.

Having just returned from travelling in Turkey and having had a wonderful experience among the Turkish people, I can tell you firsthand that many are ambivalent about him (and some truly despise him), but every single one would support him one hundred percent if any Western power ever attempted to interfere there against him.

One person who not only knows the ME well, but who loves Turkey and has a much better understanding than most Americans about the special situation of Turkey - both historically and contemporaneously - is the US journalist Steven Kinzer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Kinzer

I suggest that you give Kinzer's book, Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds, a good read and check other unbiased sources before you buy wholly into the all-too-easy stereotypes that too many Westerners have of Muslims in general and Turkey in particular.

As an example, Erdogan is trying very hard to keep hotheads under control after the recent vote in the German Parliament - excessively stupid in its timing when the EU is relying primarily on Turkey to stop the flood of Syrian refugees into Europe and yet still has not lived up to promises made to the Turks. Many Turks are calling for the borders to be opened immediately and some have even offered ships to transport refugees into Europe. Erdogan himself is counseling patience. How long and how effective that will be we will likely know VERY soon. The whole situation is an ongoing tragedy.

[Coventina]

7. Sorry, but he is a misogynist and is taking Turkey backwards into religious fundamentalism.

Yes, I am biased. I am biased into thinking that men and women are equal, something Erdogan has specifically said he does NOT believe.

[BlueMTexpat]

8. Context is everything.

You need much more of it. Life is not always black and white.

But you have a right to your opinion - as do Ali and his family have a right to theirs. If they chose to invite him, so be it.

[Coventina]

9. Really? Equality depends on "context?"

Sorry, but that IS black and white, and not a matter of opinion.

[yeoman6987]

10. Point is. Nobody gets to decide who goes to the funeral but the Ali family.

[Coventina]

11. Agreed. But I'm free to pass judgment on making a horrible decision. n/t

[yeoman6987]

12. That's true.

[tonyt53]

3. An indication of how many people that Ali touched.

[Coventina]

4. Meh. If Erdogan was "touched" by Ali it sure doesn't show up in his speech or actions.

Just a PR move on his part.

[moondust]

6. It seems the whole world

is out to associate with and capitalize on the popular Ali, who is obviously in no position to deny them.