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Between Islam And The West
Mustafa Al Faqi Al-Hayat 2004/03/23
The study of the Turkish phenomenon needs historical awareness and an understanding of the Turkish character and the various factors that form its identity and determine its policies that oscillate between the historical Ottoman Turkey and the geographical European Turkey. The Turkish State is not disturbed by being in Europe's backside instead of being in the Islamic world's front. There are many aspects to consider within the Turkish phenomenon: First of all, Turkey's location as a link between Asia and Europe and its control of the straits gave it historical powers whose remnants remain to this day. Secondly, the European dream that tickles Turkish feelings and dominates its policies has led it to seek the appeasement of the European Union and subsequently the United States and Israel. There is no doubt that Ataturk's ideology contributed substantially to Turkey's turn of perspective from the east to the west, despite all the difficult conditions and concessions it had to face. Nevertheless, the former French President, Valerie Giscard D'Estaing has deemed that Turkey's membership in the EU is almost impossible and that perhaps a country like Morocco, in his point of view, has a priority over it.
Ataturk's secularism distanced Turkey from the Arab East, for the eradication of the traditional headwear is not just symbolic but an indication of the end of the Ottoman era and the beginning of adopting Latin letters and turning Islam to a unique "Ataturkian" model that is guarded by the army. We should also not forget that Turkey is an important member of the NATO alliance and has played an essential role in protecting Western and American interests and so it is a key member of the Western defense system, which stood by its side during its security troubles whether pertaining to the Cypriot or Kurdish issues. Furthermore, the expansion of the Islamic tide in modern Turkey represents an exceptional phenomenon, for new generations express enthusiasm about returning to Turkey's Islamic character.
Hence, Turkey is a distinctive country and has played a significant historical role in the entire region. Arabs have not properly used the Turkish "card" in all their issues particularly in the Arab-Israeli struggle. It is about time that Arabs deal with Turkey, perhaps through the Arab League or bilateral ties, in a new perspective because the diversity of its role makes it in a position that can exert pressure on major world powers. The Turks are probably enthusiastic about such a role but we Arabs have failed in taking advantage of that role. Arab-Turkish relations definitely vary from one Arab country to another as well as from one period to another depending on international circumstances. We will not forget the confrontation in 1998 with Syria that was avoided by the wisdom of late President Assad and the efforts of the current Egyptian President Mubarak.
Arab-Turkish relations have a lot of potential and should focus on the following points: Overcoming the past's negative aspects and concentrating on the partnership that lasted for many centuries in order to boost relations and give Turks the incentive to reconsider their total secularism and change of identity without hurting Turkish pride or the image of their legendary conqueror, Mustafa Kemal. The Israeli-Turkish relations should not be an obstacle but a quality in this course for Turkey could exert pressure in favor of peace. That is why it should be given the status of observer in the Arab League since it and Iran constitute the Arabs' northern and eastern neighbors. Moreover, the Turkish model of Islam should be considered a fact. The recent visit by the current Syrian President to Turkey has created a better atmosphere and has strengthened Arab-Turkish relations and possibly gave way to a mediation role with Israel on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. The situation in Iraq might also be a factor in bolstering these relations especially that Northern Iraq has an ethnic Turkish minority.
This is our point of view concerning that country, at the center of the world and that carries a part of human heritage and occupies a strategic and unique position, which we share with a long history including points of strength and weakness, particularly at the time when the Turkish army perpetrated historic misfortunes that were embodied in "Damascus's hangings" in addition to the "Armenian massacre." Yet, history exonerates and peoples forgive and at the end it is the long-term perspective of the relations between Arabs and the country, oscillating between east and west that persist.
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