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Million Turks Rally for Secularism

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2007 6:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – Secular Turks staged an enormous rally yesterday amid a constitutional crisis over the election of the next president, the BBC reports. As many as a million protesters turned out in Istanbul to oppose ruling-party candidate Abdullah Gul, who they're afraid is orchestrating an Islamic coup in the country even as it seeks E.U. membership and modernization.

They challenged a parliamentary vote, boycotted by opposition MPs, that would give the ruling party a lock on power. Gull tried to allay fears. "The president must be loyal to secular principles. If I am elected, I will act accordingly," he said.  The army  accused the government of supporting radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.    

'
'   (Associated Press)
Pro-secular demonstrators chant slogans during a rally in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 29, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of pro-secular Turks flooded central Istanbul to demand the resignation of the government, which they fear is leading Turkey toward Islamic rule. The demonstrators took to the streets following a sharp rise in...
Pro-secular demonstrators chant slogans during a rally in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 29, 2007. Hundreds of thousands of pro-secular Turks flooded central Istanbul to demand the resignation of the...   (Associated Press)
ent and the country's powerful pro-secular military, which accuses the government of tolerating or encouraging the activities of radical Islamic circles. (AP Photo/Serkan Senturk)
ent and the country's powerful pro-secular military, which accuses the government of tolerating or encouraging the activities of radical Islamic circles. (AP Photo/Serkan Senturk)   (Associated Press)
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