A Day That Changed Turkey: New Age Islam's Selection, 30 July 2016
New Age Islam Edit Bureau
30 July 2016
• A Day That Changed Turkey
By Harun Yahya
• A Milestone For Saudi Women
By Sabria S. Jawhar
• Fact-Checking Saudi And Iranian Statements On Terrorism
By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
• Why De-Escalation Of Ankara-PKK Clashes Doesn’t Mean Path To Peace
By Fehim Tastekin
Compiled By New Age Islam Edit Bureau
----
A Day That Changed Turkey
By Harun Yahya
30 July 2016
Unity means strength. Nations or societies that lose their sense of unity are always susceptible to disorder and external instigation.
Despite its horrible consequences and the wounds it inflicted, the coup attempt, which was certainly not anticipated by the people of Turkey, has brought with it a pleasant outcome. The long-hoped-for spirit of unity among the people of Turkey was achieved overnight. The discourses of the opposition parties condemning the coup and supporting the government distinctly proved that there is no place for coups in Turkey’s politics. The firm stand the opposition took on July 15 continues to remain strong.
Another interesting development is that people ensured that they carried only Turkey’s national flags on the streets because those on the streets are not party representatives but the masses of Turkey who stand united. From the first day onward, people were mindful of not hurting the spirit of solidarity.
As the democracy watch continues, the democracy meeting hosted by the main opposition party, CHP to which all the parties were invited has made a notable contribution to this sense of solidarity. The summit President Erdogan held the very next day, to which all the party leaders were invited at the same time, is a significant symbol of the spirit of reconciliation.
In Turkey, the sharp political tone that had become increasingly evident especially in the recent years, and the discrimination practiced by some people on the basis of political views, religious outlook and lifestyles had reached a dangerously critical level. Polarization had become worrisome for everyone and had an impact on the daily life. In those days, I had stated in one of these columns several times that such a political culture could cause serious harm. Through the latest major incidents, God re-educated the Turkish people. Henceforth, what is looked forward to is the spirit of brotherhood.
This should never be forgotten: The perfidious deeds like coups that insult the free will of the people take their strength from enmities and dissents within societies. Divided people or societies always benefit coup plotters, as they may find potential supporters among a section of a fragmented society. The existence of hot-headed, cold-hearted, cruel people within the society always provides the necessary basis for coup plotters; because, a coup plotter seeks to seize power by brutal force and cause bloodshed as this brute force necessitates. Giving him the atmosphere he desires will open the gates to grave dangers.
Having gone through this experience, from now on, Turkey has to act more astutely and carefully. The newfound reconciliatory tone of the politicians should definitely continue. Bitter and caustic speeches should not be allowed in anyway. It should not be forgotten that such tone harms the people and democracy as well as enables those who seek to harm Turkey. Politicians should properly assess all these issues with care. Of course, they cannot fulfill everyone’s every wish, but it is always possible for them to find a middle ground that will please the majority.
To that end, unity meetings, which have been off to a good start, should absolutely continue. It will be wonderful for the ruling party to aim for adopting a policy that will help them win over not only their audience, but also the audiences the opposition appeals to. In carrying out this policy, the government should not be concerned about losing its own audience; because winning over the majority of the people will bring the greatest benefit to both the government and Turkey. Turkey should become a country in which people of all views can live in peace and comfort.
It is quite elating to see people shed their party flags and persistently stand together on public squares. For this spirit to live on, people must not heed to frantic voices. It is crucial to solve issues that might give rise to conflicts and contradictions.
The people of Turkey have demonstrated to the entire world that love and unity have the power to prevent a horrendous and treacherous coup attempt. In fact, the Turkish people themselves witnessed in amazement how the power of unity thwarted the nefarious plan. Those who had not previously have faith in the power of love and solidarity witnessed it firsthand.
The principle we will adhere to next should be eliminating the reasons that lead to the coup attempt. A Turkey that prioritizes modernism, science and arts will inevitably be impervious to any coup attempts. As we witnessed from the exemplary events of July 15, the strength and will of the people form a great barrier against coups. This can only be accomplished through practicing modernism, quality and arts in harmony with the true spirit of Islam.
Source: arabnews.com/node/961711/columns
----
A Milestone for Saudi Women
By Sabria S. Jawhar
30 July 2016
In a move that may strike the sceptics as an empty gesture, the Saudi Ministry of Justice allowed 200 women to leave Saudi Arabia without the permission of a guardian. The ministry had received 350 applications.
Saudis should not underestimate the importance of this seemingly minor decision by the ministry. In fact, it’s a significant step toward granting women the right to travel without a guardian’s permission, and could very well extend to other aspects of Saudi women’s life. It also raises the hopes of many women who want to see a complete overhaul of the guardianship system.
What we are indeed seeing is the Saudi government gradually loosening restrictions on the movements of women. The Justice Ministry recognizes that there are problems in the system and are looking at specific cases to ease the burden women face.
The Association for Human Rights, for example, reported recently that it received about 100 complaints from women who are denied permission to travel abroad. In addition, divorced women have filed complaints because they can’t leave the country for a holiday with their children because the father denied her permission.
The fact remains that guardianship in Islam is to protect women and provide them with financial security, but our version is controlling women and their fate. I know a woman who is 60 years old and divorced. Once her divorce became final she was required to return to her father’s guardianship. But her father is 84 and simply too old to follow the burdensome legal requirements that come with guardianship. She is placed in an impossible position that limits her ability to lead a normal life.
The younger generation has already recognized that the guardianship system is an anachronism in today’s Saudi society. Saudis will never fully let go of guardianship since it’s a concept in Islam, but that concept must fit the 21st century.
That is why the government is establishing a gradual tone that in effect says that men can’t deny his children the right to travel with their mother abroad without a reason. Female scientists and doctors must travel without restrictions. We have already seen too many instances in which women are denied professional development because they are denied permission to travel abroad. Further, there are still many men in Saudi society who fail to understand the true concept of guardianship in Islam and abuse the privilege.
Women over the age of 25 are not children and no longer teenagers. By the time they reach 25, they are university graduates and working as professionals. It’s ludicrous to suggest they need permission from a man, especially a son or nephew, to do anything in the professional arena.
On Twitter there is a hashtag in Arabic that in English means Abandon Guardianship is a Public Request.
One woman tweeted, “I will tell my granddaughter with shame that a university will not accept me unless I get my guardian’s permission.”
Another wrote, “It’s unfair to make a woman with a masters or doctorate (stay) under the mercy of an ignorant who only thinks a woman has less of a brain and is less religious.”
Source: news.google.co.in/?ar=1469860863
--
Fact-Checking Saudi And Iranian Statements On Terrorism
By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
29 July 2016
According to Iran’s state-owned news outlet Press TV, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has warned Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to think twice about "the repercussions of his statements.”
Al Arabiya News Channel aired Jubeir’s recent statement that was in response to earlier remarks given by Iran’s General Consul, accusing Saudi Arabia in a way that I believe was unsubstantiated, regarding an event on terrorism held by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brussels on July 21, 2016.
It is worthwhile to fact-check the statements.
Harboring, supporting and sheltering terrorism
Since the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran’s military, financial, and sanctuary support for terrorist groups, as well as Iran’s direct or indirect involvement in terrorist attacks across the globe in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and America have been well-documented by many credible intelligence reports across the world, as well as various news outlets.
On a diplomatic level, several members of the international community have also accused Iran of being responsible for terrorism from India to the US, by sponsoring, training, funding, arming or giving sanctuary to terrorist groups and individuals.
Iran’s support, which is confirmed by Iranian leaders, or the leaders of the allied groups, is not limited to Shiite-designated terrorist groups such as Hezbollah or Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.
The current narrative is that Iran wants to defeat ISIS and al-Qaeda leaders and that Tehran and Washington have mutual interests. However, Iran’s relationship with al-Qaeda and ISIS has a long history and their ties are more complicated than the mainstream narrative.
Iran is believed to have maintained its ties with al-Qaeda since the early 1990s. According to multiple intelligence reports and external experts, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gave shelter, protection, assistance, Iranian passports to many senior a;-Qaeda members, including the founder of al-Qaeda in Iraq (Abu Musab Al Zarqawi), the predecessor to ISIS, when the US was looking for him.
Most recently, three senior al-Qaeda members, who have been added to the US government’s list of designated terrorists, are believed to have been “located in Iran” at some point. Al-Qaeda senior members have been capable of escaping US drones by living in Iran, using Iranian passports and being used as a pawn to advance Iran’s foreign policy objectives. Hiding some of these figures has been instrumental in giving birth to ISIS. According to a report by the Claremont Institute, which cites German intelligence, being a Shiite government has not stopped Iran from partnering up with al-Qaeda, which brands itself as Sunni. According to the US Treasury, Iran has even helped al-Qaeda fighters enter Syria.
Iran’s funding, arming, supporting, training and giving sanctuary to terrorist groups is well-documented
In addition, an audio message from Bin Laden’s son Hamza, which was released in recent weeks, points to the “continuation of Iranian sponsorship” within al-Qaeda, according to a report by a US-based think-tank. Declassification of 113 hand-written messages also revealed, according to the report, that Bin Laden said Iran is “the chief pathway for our money, men, communiqué, and hostages” and he urged his group “not to start a front against Iran.”
The US State Department has released its latest annual report related to terrorism and global terrorist activities, in which it stated: “Iran remained the foremost state sponsor of terrorism in 2015, providing a range of support, including financial, training, and equipment, to groups around the world – particularly Hezbollah. Iran continued to be deeply involved in the conflict in Syria, working closely with the Assad regime to counter the Syrian opposition, and also in Iraq where Iran continued to provide support to militia groups, including the Foreign Terrorist Organization Kata’ib Hezbollah. In addition, it was implicated for its support to violent Shia opposition group attacks in Bahrain. Iran was joined in these efforts by Hezbollah, which continued to operate globally, as demonstrated by the disruption of Hezbollah activities in Peru in 2014 and Cyprus in 2015.”
Three crucial pillars that Iran relies on are the IRGC, the intelligence wing of the IRGC and Iran’s proxies.
In addition, judicial and intelligence evidence has pointed to Iran’s connection with al-Qaeda in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Earlier this year, US District Judge George Daniels in New York ordered the Islamic Republic to pay more than $10.5 billion in damages to the estates and families of people who died at the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
The court held that “Iran furnished material and direct support for the 9/11 terrorists specific terrorist travel operation” and the “facilitation of al-Qaeda's operatives' travel to training in camps in Afghanistan was essential for the success of the 9/11 operation.” It also stated that a “terrorist agent of Iran and Hezbollah helped coordinate travel [for the hijackers].”
Expansionism And Exportation Of Iran's Revolution
In his statement last week, Jubeir asked: “Doesn't the Iranian constitution say "export the revolution"? Didn't Iran create Hezbollah? Didn't Iran attack more than a dozen embassies in Iran in violation of all international laws?”
A central part in Khomeini and Khamenei’s ideology is exporting their revolution, which is emphasized in Iran’s constitution. Article 11 states that the constitution “provides the necessary basis for ensuring the continuation of the Revolution at home and abroad” and “will strive with other Islamic and popular movements to prepare the way for the formation of a single world community.”
According to article 144, Iran’s constitution delegates to its military the fulfilment of these goals: “The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran must be an Islamic Army, i.e., committed to Islamic ideology and the people ... It will be responsible not only for guarding and preserving the frontiers of the country, but also for fulfilling the ideological mission of jihad in God's way; that is, extending the sovereignty of God's law throughout the world.”
With regards to Iran supporting groups, which are designated as terrorist by the international community, not only is the evidence overwhelming, but Iranian authorities or leaders of these groups have also publicly admitted their involvement, such as the leaders of Hezbollah have done.
In closing, Iran’s funding, arming, supporting, training and giving sanctuary to terrorist groups is well-documented.
Although at the end of his speech, Jubeir extended his hands and hoped that Iran will change its behaviour, as long as Iran pursues its deep-rooted ideological and revolutionary beliefs of achieving regional hegemony and pre-eminence - through exporting its revolution, relying on hard power, and supporting terrorist groups - Tehran will not be a constructive and rational state actor for either the region, or for its own citizens.
Source: english.alarabiya.net/en/views/2016/07/29/Fact-checking-Saudi-and-Iranian-statements-on-terrorism.html
----
Why De-Escalation of Ankara-PKK Clashes Doesn’t Mean Path to Peace
By Fehim Tastekin
July 29, 2016
For the past few years, both the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) have been warning about the Gulen movement supporters infiltrating the police and the army. After the July 15 coup attempt, the relevant question is whether the government, while weeding out the Gulenists, can return to the peace table with the Kurds. There are some signs that give hope to such an eventuality.
It is said that some of the key coup plotters were the generals who were commanding operations against the PKK.
The process for removing immunity from parliamentarians, mostly HDP deputies, was postponed.
Minister of Energy Berat Albayrak said the Roboski file on the killing of 34 villagers in 2011 by the Turkish air force will be reopened. Huseyin Erten, the former commander of the Roboski area, was detained in the coup plot investigations.
From unofficial channels a message was conveyed that, if there is a return to 2013 circumstances, negotiations can be resumed. Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in his 2013 Nowruz Day message had called on the organization to withdraw from Turkey and initiated negotiations with the government.
Of course, as much as they can be genuine, moves toward peace can also be a tactic to pass through a critical period without much damage.
Game Spoilers
Just as the government said that the Russian jet was shot down by a Gulenist pilot when it was making up with Russia, it is also putting the blame on Gulenist commanders for the destruction and fatalities inflicted on the Kurds. But this doesn’t really mean that the government is ready to sit down with Kurds. The government keeps saying, “Yes, we will open up to the Kurds, but also fight the PKK.” Also there are a myriad of internal and external reasons why it won’t be easy to revert to the optimistic days of 2013. What are these factors?
President Erdogan invited leaders of three political parties in the parliament to a meeting to give an impression of national unity, but he kept the HDP out. HDP chairman Selahattin Demirtas called that a mistake. “This is an indicator of how they did not fully the grasp the consequences of the coup attempt. Key to democracy is HDP. The coup was triggered by the mindset that passed on the Kurdish question to the army. If one more time they pretend HDP doesn’t exist and say ‘We will solve the problems with Turkish national front,’ it is their choice, but it is a very wrong, flawed approach,” he said.
There are rumors that Demirtas could be invited to the president’s next meeting with party leaders. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to rely on nationalist backing. A new peace initiative with the PKK could disrupt Erdogan’s relations with nationalist party leader Devlet Bahceli.
Erdogan will revert to his normal agenda after removing the Gulenists from power and when he feels confident again. His normal agenda is the presidential system. His close relations with the nationalist and conservative circles give Erdogan a chance to amend the constitution. Should the HDP change position and support such a presidential system, the entire picture could change, but that would be political suicide for the HDP.
The PKK is no longer an issue confined to the internal dynamics of Turkey. The government’s priority is to terminate the autonomous body in the Rojava region. None of the post-coup statements signal a softening up of its approach to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military arm, the People's Protection Units (YPG). The government has committed itself so much to the narrative of “the PKK and YPG are more dangerous than the Islamic State” that any backtracking could be detrimental to the Justice and Development Party.
Tensions with Washington were escalated when Turkey accused the United States of being behind the coup attempt. The Obama administration’s lack of commitment to extradite Fethullah Gulen has seriously soured relations. Meanwhile, the United States continues its partnership with the YPG. Turkey’s anger against the United States has amplified its distrust in the US-Kurdish partnership.
Parallel to the tension with Washington, Turkey is sliding away from the Atlantic axis toward a Eurasia axis. The condition for a new beginning with Russia is a change in its Syria policy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained it eloquently when he said developing cooperation with Turkey depends on how much the two countries can cooperate for a solution to the Syrian question. Lavrov said Russia delivered plenty of evidence of how Turkish territory was used for financing of terrorists and transfer of armed militants. “Our Turkish partners will not only have to respond to these charges, but also adopt measures against them,” he said.
Given the Shiite-phobic character of the Gulen movement, a similar rapprochement with Iran is possible.
Should a Moscow, Tehran and Ankara partnership become functional, its reflections on Syria could be against Kurdish interests. In return for changing its Syrian policy, Ankara could demand that Rojava be under control of the central regime as an integral part of Syria. Such a scenario will of course mean wiping out any peace prospects with the Kurds.
HDP Not Very Optimistic
The HDP is anxiously awaiting the post-July 15 changes. Although they feel that in such a difficult period the government will not pursue a combative stance, nobody expects a return to 2013. The prevailing feeling is that the government could launch moves to win over the Kurdish voters after the destruction of Sur, Cizre and Nusaybin and while doing that transfer operations from towns to rural terrain.
HDP deputy Nazmi Gur thinks that marginalizing the Kurds will not solve the problems. “This is discrimination. HDP was ahead of the [main opposition Republican People's Party] CHP against the coup and proposed a parliamentary inquiry. HDP wanted the parliament to be functional instead of declaring a state of emergency. Marginalizing HDP under the guise of national unity will seriously weaken the struggle against the coup,” he told Al-Monitor.
About a new dialog possibility, Gur said, “Since July 24, 2015, the government has opted for war. It didn’t change its attitude after the coup attempt. The government cannot shirk its responsibility by blaming the Gulen movement for everything. Currently there is deep silence about those facing the lifting of their parliamentary immunities. Prosecutors are busy with coup perpetrators. Some prosecutors dealing with the immunity issue have been dismissed. I suppose when it is all calm again, the issue will be brought up.”
HDP Deputy Ahmet Tan said that some people close to the government have asked the HDP to send messages to the PKK command at Kandil that should there be a return to the 2013 circumstances, a new process can be launched. According to Tan, cessation of hostilities does not depend only on the government but also the PKK’s decision.
“The government won’t say let’s pick up from where we left it. It will leave touchy issues to time. While the PKK sits at Kandil and Rojava, nobody in Ankara can initiate a peace move because of nationalist rejection,” said Tan. “The government is playing the option of reaching agreements with Russia, Iran and the Syrian Baath to have the Syrian regime again control Rojava. Here, what the PKK does is important. The PKK says, ‘Let the state start negotiations and we will talk without giving up our positions.’ But the government feels that unless the PKK gives up its arms and leaves Turkey, the concept could not change. Will the PKK agree to this? The PKK is not alone anymore. It has divergent currents internally. There are some who are closer to Russia. There are those who deal with Americans via the PYD. These trends will somehow determine the PKK’s attitude.”
Tan dismissed the possibility of Erdogan extending a hand to the HDP. “I don’t expect a new dialogue process with the HDP. They will not enter a dialogue with the HDP while the war with the PKK continues.”
About the parliamentary immunity issue, Tan said, “In all this chaos, the government won’t press on this issue. But if the clashes escalate, it may speed it up.”
As for the escalating military operations, Tan said, “While they are busy cleaning up their own neighborhoods, they will defer the Kurdish file a bit. Kurds are wondering why Ocalan has been even more isolated since the state of emergency declaration.”
In short, the government is spending most of its time hunting down Gulenists. But purges in security forces have raised concerns of weakness. The government is not sure of the police, army and intelligence. It doesn’t feel secure and doesn’t want the people to leave the streets. It is, therefore, in the government’s interest to lower tensions with the Kurds for the time being. But none of this raises the hope of peace.
Source: al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/07/turkey-pkk-de-escalating-clashes-does-not-mean-peace.html
URL: https://newageislam.com/middle-east-press/a-day-that-changed-turkey/d/108122