In Turkey, a Looming Battle Over Islam

A very good read.. very informative.

Makes we wonder why I ever thought we could bring democracy for Iraq or the Middle east. Not that the middle east cannot be democratic, just that it has to come from within, it has to grow in the hearts and minds of the people.

I've read other things on Turkey recently and the secular nature of the government is too much for me. Banning head scarfs in government building (like France recently did in schools) seems like it would make religious people not want to participate in their own government.

But, on the other hand, groups like the Taliban can rule through social restrictions as much as through law. It can be hard to "break" a social taboo without a law requiring it. This is why it has to come from within. People have to want freedom enough to break the truly restrictive elements of Islamic law. Whether a mere head scarf is truly restrictive or not, is up the the person themselves.

In Afghanistan, some women continue to wear the burkas even though they are not required to anymore. Should we (or the Afghan government) "outlaw" burkas? I don't think so. My gut says "no", but maybe it would be necessary for a period to break the social hold the Taliban still has.

It makes one think...

In Turkey, a Looming Battle Over Islam - washingtonpost.com