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July 5, 2008 7:17:20 PM CDT

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Foes Gear to Fight New Bid By Ex-Islamist to Lead Turkey

Posted Aug 14, 07 2:22 AM CDT in World    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – Turkish secularists are bracing for another clash over the presidential candidacy of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a devout Muslim and one-time Islamist party member who critics fear plans to enforce extreme religious principals in public life. The last time he was nominated as the ruling party's candidate, just three months ago, the army threatened a coup, and thousands took to the streets.

He is almost certain to win. Though his wife wears a Muslim head scarf that has outraged many, Gul claims to be a champion of secularism. Critics say he has a secret plan with the prime minister, also a one-time Islamist, to establish a religious state in a nation that has traditionally been among the most liberal of Muslim countries.

Source Times (UK)

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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, second right. his wife Emine, right, his deputy and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Gul's wife Hayrunisa salute cheering supporters of their Islamic-rooted...   (Associated Press)
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul speaks during a news conference in Ankara in this July 25, 2007, file photo. Turkey's Islamic-oriented ruling party on Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, decided to nominate...   (Associated Press)
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is seen during a ceremony for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Ankara in this Aug. 7, 2007 file photo. Turkey's Islamic-oriented ruling party on Monday, Aug....   (Associated Press)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his deputy Abdullah Gul applaud a newly elected lawmaker taking the oath of office during the opening session of the new Parliament in Ankara, Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
Deputy Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul speaks to the media during a news conference in Ankara, Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Gul hinted that he would continue his controversial bid...   (Associated Press)
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul speaks to the media during a news conference in Ankara, Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Gul hinted that he would continue his controversial bid...   (Associated Press)
Deputy Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul looks toward cameras as he arrives in his office for a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Turkey's Islamic-oriented ruling...   (Associated Press)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, his deputy and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Gul's wife Hayrunisa salute cheering supporters of their Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party,...   (Associated Press)
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, accompanied by his wife Hayrunisa Gul, greets Justice and Development Party supporters outside of the party headquarters in Ankara,...   (Associated Press)
Turkish riot police detain leftist demonstrators during a protest against the upcoming general elections in down town Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 20, 2007. The general elections in Turkey are scheduled...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish girl wearing a military commando uniform marches with a national flag during a rally.   (Associated Press)
Demonstrators march with Turkish flags a huge poster of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk during a pro-secular rally in Manisa, western Turkey, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Thousands of Turks gathered in two...   (Associated Press)
A Turkish man marches with national flags and a poster of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk during a pro-secular rally in Manisa, western Turkey, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Thousands of Turks gathered in two...   (Associated Press)
Pro-secularist protests. (AP Photo/Ismail Sahin)   (Associated Press)
A Turkish woman waves a national flag during a pro-secular rally in Manisa, western Turkey, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Thousands of Turks gathered in two western cities to protest the Islamic-rooted government,...   (Associated Press)
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religion  • Islam  • Turkey  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan  • Muslim  • secularism  • Abdullah Gul  • Turkish elections


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