Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

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

Posted Aug 14, 07 2:22 AM CDT in World 

(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)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Turkey's PM Could Fall Over Headscarves

    Jun 20, 08 7:16 PM CDT
    Turkey's PM Could Fall Over Headscarves Turkey's secular judges want to oust the ruling party for its moderate, and popular, stance on religion freedoms, Mustafa Akyol writes in the American. On paper, the judiciary seeks to punish the incumbent AKP party for crimes such as nepotism and corruption. In reality, Akyol writes, the AKP's support for headscarves in Turkish universities is what sparked judicial rage. More »

  • Court Could Outlaw Turkey's 'Islamist Government'

    Apr 1, 08 3:35 AM CDT
    Court Could Outlaw Turkey's 'Islamist Government' Turkey's top court has agreed to hear a case that could outlaw the nation's ruling party and bar its president and prime minister from politics, Reuters reports. The AK Party is accused of trying to undermine Turkey's secular constitution and establish an Iran-style Islamic state. The case pits Turkey's popularly elected government against the country's secular elite, including army generals. More »

  • Turkish Army Blasts Incoming President

    Aug 28, 07 8:50 AM CDT
    Turkish Army Blasts Incoming President Turkey is heading for a showdown over the relation of the state and Islam as Abdullah Gul, who has been the subject of bitter protests, was named president of Turkey in a parliamentary election today. The nomination of Gul, the foreign minister and a practicing Muslim whose wife wears a head scarf, led to massive secularist protests across Turkey last spring. More »

  • Turkish Elections Boost PM

    Jul 22, 07 6:00 PM CDT
    Turkish Elections Boost PM Turkey’s ruling party dominated parliamentary elections today despite its perceived threat to the nation’s entrenched secularism. The elections were moved up after the secular opposition foiled PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attempt to install an ex-Islamist ally as president. The results, seen as a mandate for the AKP, also raise the risk of increased conflict, Reuters reports. More »

  • Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea

    May 7, 07 7:53 AM CDT
    Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea If the choice is between somewhat more religion in public life and democracy in Turkey, choose the latter, argues the Economist. The ruling party's choice of an Islamist candidate, Abdullah Gul, for president set off a familiar confrontation between the Turkish military and the political establishment. The Economist asks, "if Turkey cannot reconcile Islam and democracy, who can?" More »

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 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)
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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

religion • Islam • Turkey • Muslim • Recep Tayyip Erdogan • secularism • Abdullah Gul • Turkish elections


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Home Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »