Turkish Higher Education Chief is Going to Lift Ban on Headscarf
The following will, I am sure, worry and possibly anger quite some Kemalists, while – on the other hand – less strict secularist Turks and, of course, supporters of the AK Parti will celebrate the words of the newly appointed Higher Education Board (YÖK) president, Yusuf Ziya Özcan:
“One of [my visions] is the elimination of all bans in universities, and that universities place more importance on their sublime duty, science.”
It seems logical to me that, slowly but surely, the strict laicism of Turkey will change. The question is, however, whether it’s the right time for the abolition of this ban and whether there will ever be a right time to get rid of it. Frankly, quite some girls whose parents are very conservative Muslims are forced to wear a headscarf, not necessarily because they want to wear it. If the ban is lifted, these girls will be forced to wear the headscarf constantly.
What’s more, what about female students who refuse to wear a headscarf? Will they be considered ‘infidels’ or ’shameless women’? Will society force them to wear a headscarf? What will happen? Or will, on the other hand, the difference between Kemalists and other secularists on the one hand and supporters of the AK Parti (and other religious groups and parties) become even stronger and will the tensions between the two increase?
As some you will know, I plan to live in Turkey with my girlfriend and I’ve got to say that I’m not a fan of the decision to lift the ban. If my daughter – if I’m ever lucky enough to have one – comes home telling me she was forced to wear a headscarf at school or that other kids insulted her because she doesn’t wear one (and if I have a daughter she will most certainly not wear a headscarf) I’ll have a not-so-friendly conversation with her teachers and with the parents of the children involved.
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This makes me very nervous especially due to timing. This is practically coming right after the "cozying up" the relationships with Iran. Where are we headed?
–Ilker
Ilker: yeah, you’re right. Again, we have to keep an eye on what’s happening, how, when and why. It’s obviously not ‘related’ as such, but it could be part of a larger pattern, which should be cause for concern.
One question: if all the bans are eliminated, women will be allowed to wear headscarf at universities. According to those law, Christians are also allowed to wear the cross apparently at universities. So can you image what might happen? It would not be the freedom of all students, it would be privilege of women who wear a headscarf as a symbol of their political party.
Here’s what the west doesn’t understand. The headscarf is a political symbol and it is being used by extremists in Turkey. It has nothing to do with freedom of religion. Everyone’s free to practice whatever religion they want, but not in government financed spaces (students attending public universities do not pay any tuition, the government pays).
Lifting the ban on the headscarf is just going to bring the radical islamists one step closer their goal.
The next demand will be that all classes halt 5 times a day so that they may pray in the hallways or in the classroom. If you think it’s far fetched, they made these demands just a few years ago. Then the men will insist the women be encased in ninja wear (chador), because extreme islam is also misogynist.
And, if you don’t think these activists put pressure on students who disagree with them, go read the stories here about the women killed in 2007 for not wearing the headscarf or being "Islamic enough."
Yet, this seems to be what the EU and the USA wants for Turkey–constant ethnic and religious strife (i.e., their support of PKK terrorists and pressure to allow religion in all public spaces).
Why such ethnic and religious strife makes the EU happy, I don’t understand. What I do know is this, when the sparks start to fly due to these "democratic" reforms, the EU is going to really feel it this time, unlike the others.
You mark my words, this is a very bad sign and Buyukanit is watching and thank God he is (no pun intended). It’s only a matter of time. For now, the fundies and jihadies will be celebrating in the streets and they have the EU to thank for it. How ironic is that? (Aren’t head scarves still banned in French schools?)