To quote Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of modern secular Turkey: “No country is free unless it is democratic”
Stressing the significance of democratic values, the farsighted leader laid down the roadmap for Turk generations to follow. He led them to what we now know as modern day Turkey: a secular, democratic state, embedded with the values of freedom and progress. It makes its mark not only in the Muslim world, but is about to be recognised at the international stage as a significant regional player, and a key representative of the ailing Muslim world.
While the Muslim world criticised Turkey all along for abolishing its Islamic identity, adapting to the western-secular outlook, it is fascinating to see the very same Turkey, in its very western-secular outlook, at present, is taking on the leadership role for the otherwise dispersed Ummah.
Muslim countries are severely lagging behind their regional and global counterparts, in spheres such as education, social development, technological advancement, economic empowerment, etc. Their plight is the result of them being accustomed to dictatorial rule, or due to their weak, incompetent, and corrupt democracies. Turkey has made remarkable progress in all of the aforementioned dimensions through strengthening the internal political democratic structure, and resorting to an effective diplomatic, and military engagement in persuasion of her interests at both, regional as well as international level.
What’s critical to note and learn for rest of the Muslim world here, however, is that today’s Turkey is a result of gradual evolution and not a dreamed revolution.
In recent years, despite concerns arising within Turkey, and across its borders, particularly in Europe, regarding its tilt towards religiosity driven politics threatening the long adopted secularism, what is significant to note here is that there has been no compromise on the national will, and commitment towards democracy, and prevalence of democratic values as the way forward for the country.
Despite its secular identity, Turkey, owing to its democratic march forward, has emerged as a potential Muslim power. It is well on the way to taking a leadership role in the Muslim World. For other Muslim countries seeking change, there lies a fine example in present day Turkey
The need for democracy in Turkey, apparently, has surpassed the need for a secular identity which is evident from numerous failed attempts in the recent past by the military to overthrow the democratically elected governments in wake of dangers to Turkey’s secular thought. The coup attempts failed amid the outrageous public taking to the streets in protest of the military, and in favour of democracy; and the political unanimity between the government and the opposition, despite the differences between the left and right wings, on upholding democracy.
The failure of coups particularly that of the deadliest one in 2016, is an undeniable sign of Turkey’s democratic strength, and success as a democratic state, as it has empowered the ordinary citizens to the extent that has enabled them to not only challenge the military’s might, but to turn the tides in favour of democracy.
For democracy to be strong, public empowerment is an imperative pre-requisite. Not to forget, this public empowerment has only been possible through good governance, the establishment of rule of law, and provision of economic opportunities at all levels.
With the re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as President once again, democracy has strengthened to the core and thus, added strength to Turkey’s internal political structure.
For Pakistan’s amateur democratic political aspirants, ironically, focused solely on the election rather than re-election, there lies great lessons in Turkey’s democratic progression, particularly in public empowerment, and Erdogan’s re-election, as democracy’s true prevalence lies there.
The internal stability attained courtesy democracy has laid down the foundation for Turkey to vocally engage in a diplomatic battle with regional and global players in the persuasion of her national interests. Of all the Muslim countries, Turkey stands single-handedly as one that has categorically denounced the recent Israeli aggression drive against innocent Palestinians. The secular state also took the lead on calling on the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to wake up, and play its dedicated role.
Focused on improving bilateral relations with potential Muslim countries and beyond, Turkey has recently entered with Pakistan the largest ever defence contract of delivering 30 Turkish-made T-129 ATAK multirole combat helicopters, moving a step further in strengthening Pak-Turk ties.
Furthermore, despite being threatened by the US, Turkey has also engaged with Russia in buying the S-400 missile defence system. With Erdogan’s re-election, however, Washington’s temperature seems to have normalised, thanks to the democratic strength of Turkey, as US President Donald Trump congratulated Erdogan, and the two leaders agreed on improving bilateral ties between the US and Turkey.
Turkey has also remained proactive, and on the front foot against ISIS, and Kurdish-led insurgent groups jeopardising regional security, and stability along with its own.
Despite its secular identity, Turkey owing to its democratic march forward, has emerged as a potential Muslim power, and to an extent has, and is further well on the way to taking the leadership role in the Muslim World.
For other Muslim countries seeking change, there lies a fine example in present day’s Turkey.
The writer is an Islamabad based freelance opinion writer
Published in Daily Times, July 2nd 2018.