Turkey: Not Married Not Divorced

Turkey: Not divorced by the East, not married by the West
Yesterday, the Turkish Grand Council {Parliament} held an inconclusive presidential vote, in which the frontrunner, Abdullah Gül failed to secure enough votes to land in Cankaya {The Presidential Palace}. However, it is a forgone conclusion that he will be elected next Tuesday, August 28 (Insha' Allah) since his party has an absolute majority to overcome the simple majority needed in the 3rd round.

Today Turkey is under intensive attention for various reasons. The country is looking towards the West while trying to stick to its heritage and Islamic identity. In that way, neither the East divorced Turkey, nor was she married by the West.

In Anakara, the hyper-secular elite who hoarded wealth and power for decades are losing their last fortress and they are fearful of the ruling AK Party accusng it of "Islamism," an accusation that the Party rejects in its entirety maintaining that it's a "conservative democrat," much like the Christian democrats in Europe. I buy AK Party's position and support it.

Well, that is just an observation. If you need Abdullah Gul's news, you can get it here.Choose which language or go for the google news if you need that one. Now, there is this poem that I read today in a Saudi newspaper: Alwatan. The poem by Muhammad Al-radyan was a very interesting one. You must speak Arabic since the poem is written in Arabic.

The poet described Turkey as a "confused nation, a woman looking herself in the mirror, [sometimes] wearing swimming costumes [or] the veil, undecided between putting on a proper Islamic clothing or even discarding the swimming costume and settle for nudity."

The poet writes that "The majority want to go back to the prayer mat, but the milatary wants to salvage what remained of Ataturk's legacy, and AK Party stands in the middle, not wanting to anger its supporters [observant Muslims] and the milatary alike."

He said: "The woman [Turkey] looks at her clothes and wonders which civilisation does she belong to." Using the famous Bosphorus bridge that connects Istanbul to Europe with Turkey not yet accepted by Europe and also hesitant to return to the East, the poet likens Turkey to a "woman not divorced by the East and not married by the West." In a passionate appeal to Turkey, the poet says "Dear Turkey, return to Turkey."

Source: جريدة الوطن السعودية
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Related: Turkey prepares for "President Gul"(*)

(*): Gul means flower in Turkish there4 the use of it in the video.As he submits to God's Will, and surrenders to the Creator, he is rid of selfishness and conceit. And when, O Nanak, he is merciful to all beings, only then shall he be called a Muslim.”