Hatred, rage and hostility in the attitudes of those who view politics as a tool for their personal ambitions have magnified the scope and impact of the threat. This tension is entirely artificial. The tolerance of the nation and its eagerness to live together in harmony has never been shaken, despite long-standing plots and provocations.So what is the major problem? Religion -- the Muslim character of the Turkish people -- was not a problem or source of trouble at the time the republic was founded. Islam within the republican identity became an important factor for facilitating integration and harmonization. Tolerance towards non-Muslims, as inherited from the Ottoman era, was preserved as our common value.
In the following stages, the republic sought a new identity which, particularly during İsmet İnönü’s term in office, distanced itself from religion and religious values. This new identity also caused unease among large segments of society because of its exclusionary character. Reactions to this unusual and hostile approach towards religion resulted in the formation of a new political line. The forced recital of the ezan (call to prayer) in Turkish for 20 years, and the impressive election victory of Adnan Menderes who reinstated the old ezan practice as soon as he assumed office, is a clear manifestation of this reaction. As the Republican elites moved away from their popular base and support, the state and the nation became alienated from each other, which eventually created a trust problem. Worse, the armed forces, which has always been well-respected by the public, was instigated by the same elites and eventually the army was heavily involved in the execution of the innocent and beloved prime minister. This has become almost common practice in Turkey’s history.
When tolerance faded away and democracy was sidelined, emotions and desires to create a new identity for the Republic surfaced and eventually they gave way to suppression of minorities. First, the incidents of Sept. 6-7 took place back in 1955, when stores belonging to Turkish Greeks and Armenians were looted, their schools, churches, graveyards and other cultural heritage was destroyed, and 16 Christian Turkish citizens died. Coercive measures which were taken to ensure the adoption of a new identity worked well for those who were waiting for any sign of weakness in Turkey. They soon realized that sectarian differences and ethnic identities could be sources of new polarizations and alienations.
Any remark suggesting that Islam is harmful to democracy is a fallacy. Those who know the essence of the religion well have numerous times recalled that verses on administrative and political issues constitute only 3 percent of the Koran, whereas the remaining 97 percent is about faith, personal obligations and moral betterment. But what is imminent today? More importantly, what is the remedy?
Firstly, the holders of power should act in a manner consistent with democratic principles.
Secondly, those who want to live in accordance with Islamic principles should not be extreme about these. They should recall that Islam requires loving not only fellow Muslims, but also all humans.
Those of you who view yourselves as religious or pious: Please, for God’s sake, do not be furious, be loving despite the insults and excessive reactions directed towards you, respond with love and tolerance. Believe me, only your love can extinguish this fire. Today is the day to be hostile to hostility.
