Hundreds of thousands of Turks took to the streets of Izmir on Sunday, stepping up pressure on the Islamist-rooted government with a rally to demand that their country remain a secular state.
Organisers hoped the protest, which they expected to attract two million people, would unite the opposition ahead of elections in July.
The rally was overshadowed by a bombing on Saturday in the city which killed one man and injured 14. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
Streets and buildings in Turkey's third largest city, including army barracks, were covered in a sea of red Turkish flags and portraits of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered founder of modern Turkey.
"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," protesters, predominantly youths at this rally, chanted. "No to sharia (Islamic law)."
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government has been forced to call a general election months ahead of schedule to defuse a conflict with Turkey's secularists over a presidential election.

Turkey's secular elite, including opposition parties, top judges and army generals, successfully blocked Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's election. They feared the ex-Islamist might try to undermine Turkey's separation of state and religion, a claim he and his ruling AK Party strongly deny.
Turkey's main opposition centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the smaller leftist Democratic Left Party (DSP) -- which are in talks to form an alliance -- hope to use the rally to build momentum ahead of the July 22 election.
"We are here today to show our support for the secular republic and hope the opposition will unite otherwise the AK Party will again control parliament," said 38-year-old Metin Yilmaz, who works as a truck driver.
OPPOSITION
The success of the secularist opposition in derailing Erdogan's plans to have his close ally, Gul, elected president has given opposition parties new confidence, analysts say.
The political crisis has brought about mergers between opposition parties in the hope to pass a 10 percent threshold of votes in July to enter parliament.
"Many young people don't feel opposition parties represent them. They don't know who to vote for. That's the challenge for the opposition," said Dogu Ergil of Ankara University.
Opinion polls show the centre-right AK Party is likely to win most votes in July but it may fail to win an outright majority, forcing it to form a coalition government.
The AK Party has presided over strong economic growth and the launch of Turkey's historic European Union entry talks.
But a series of large anti-AK Party rallies over the past month have again brought to the surface the great divide among Turks, who are predominantly Muslim, over the role of religion amid fast economic and social change.
Izmir, a transit point for Turkey's tourism industry, has traditionally been predominantly secular and pro-western.
It is seen as a key battle ground in elections.
"The AK Party will most likely win the elections but they will have to take into account these demonstrations and what people are saying. They can't remain arrogant any more," said Haluk Berk, a doctor who also teaches at an Izmir university.
"The silent majority is finally coming out," he said.

Silent majority?

yeah the sleeping giant

Great Turkish Youth (young and old) is awakening...Meetings in Ankara, İstanbul, Manisa, Çanakkale and İzmir were legal, democratic and wonderful...
Yes sleeping magnificent giant is awakening...

I'm so happy about this!!!!

If the republic is being defended by a certain person who gave a rose to the head of the terrorist in the past, and by another certain person who sang songs in front of the photo of the same murderer of babies last March (The same person sang in İzmir today and refused to hold the Turkish flag that had been handed by a woman.), I refuse to defend such a republic as the republic that I defend is totally unlike theirs and their interior and exterior like-minded defenders'.

hmmm... maybe things are not as rosey...

at the end of the day, if the leaders of the so'called 'islamic' ak party are willing to uphold secularism what exactly is the problem with their personal choice of religion?
so what if abdullah gul's wife wears a headscarf, so what if hes muslim..so are they saying muslims can't run countries now..if they are willing to uphold and defend the secular beliefs upon which the pillars of turkish society are built on then i don't see what the issue is.
live and let live.....

Robyn say = “yes ur right..but u know that political/religious discussions are banned on tc so”.
Kadersokak says = “ I do not understand the Turks they try to ban everything”.
I have not lived in a foreign country.
Is the political and religious discussions are free to divide the country in the USA, UK, Germany, France, etc?
Because these countries have a lot of foreign nationalities and ethnical and rekligious groups.
I want to know?

one more thing: for a better English, the title should be "the rally in Izmir" rather than "the meeting in Izmir." In turkish miting (meeting means rally but in english meeting does not mean rally.

Those rallies in İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Manisa with the concurrent rise in nationalism scare me more than anything the AKP say.

Some of those on the demo would prefer a coup than to uphold the democratic process just because they don't like who might get elected.

A strange way to claim they are defending democracy.

Seems normal that political and religious, even cultural topics are always controversial whether in group or with just two individuals. The fact that there is a means to do so freely to the world..in this case an internet forum proves a good thing. A feeling of freedom of thought and expression without fear of some kind censorship from government. But as this is a language class, I do understand, and it is insightful to know that
turkish people enjoy the ability to express themselves freely and discuss current events whether controversial or not. I do understand though it is up to the forum administrators to pick and choose the 'environment' in which to making learning pleasant as possible. thanks

what is the real problem in Turkey: a threat of radical Islam or a fear of democrayc? Elizabeth Ozdalga, a sociologist from Middle East Technical University, adresses the issue in the following article:

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=110573

The established and the outsiders
by
ELISABETH ÖZDALGA

Why such an over-abundance of flags? Why so much anger and fanatical hostility in the speeches?

One cannot fail to notice the present disquieting drama being acted out in Turkey.
Imagine a stage, which for years has been occupied by a certain type of people. They occupy important posts within the state bureaucracy, represent Europeanized urban manners, share a common educational background and basic values concerning the state and the nation. They are secularized, put great trust in the sciences, particularly positivist science, and see themselves as the leading modernizers of their country. They represent an institutionally and ideologically tight group, which owes its power and prestige to the fact that they are able to claim a monopoly over what is defined as modernization and a civilized way of life. They are the Established.

Then imagine other groups entering the stage from various sides. These are people coming from the villages, smaller urban centers, and the less well-off suburbs of the big cities. They have a different lifestyle, pay more attention to indigenous cultural traditions and religious practices, dress differently (head-covering has been especially conspicuous) and represent different values. But they are not as well attuned to each other and lack the compact consensus of the already existing group.

These newcomers want to share the stage with “the old families.” They work hard with high social ambitions, and claim to be as good patriots and modernizers as the old ones. But instead of opening their ranks, freely mixing and interacting with the new elements, the old guard develops an ideology which describes the newcomers as unworthy of such integration. They are portrayed as being in all respects deficient: as ignorant, uncivilized, dishonest, reactionary (for example, aiming at a Turkey patterned on Iran). Renowned columnists in major Istanbul dailies do not even mind depicting them as vulgar and filthy. It is especially their “religious fanaticism” (a distortion of what normally would be regarded as piety) that is singled out as a characteristic disqualifying them for certain positions, especially within the military, the state bureaucracy, the universities, and now, latest, for the presidency. The newcomers are thereby in various ways being stigmatized. They represent the Outsiders.

The idea of the Established and the Outsiders is a theory used in sociological community studies. The classical example is represented by the relation between two neighboring residential districts, where those who have lived in the area for a longer time and during this period have managed to develop strong community networks, come to dominate over the late-comers. All kinds of slander, gossiping and defamation are used in order to keep the newcomers, the Outsiders, at a distance; in order to preserve the existing status and prestige of the Established. That the attached stigmas are, in fact, imagined and/or invented has been demonstrated by empirical fieldwork studies.

The concepts of the Established and the Outsiders can also be used in larger macro contexts and, as suggested here, have much to tell also about the dynamics in present day Turkish society. Seen in that perspective, the conflicts we are witnessing affect certain very sensitive and deep-going power interests. When referring to major power interests I do not primarily have economic and/or class interests in mind, but conflicts based on status group interests, which by no means are less imperative and fundamental than those based on material or economic interests. To loose a longstanding, and allegedly natural status position, and the esteem that goes with it, is like being confronted with the end of the world. It hurts and causes intense anxiety.

The secular Established in Turkey is a textbook case of a well-established status group, in this case fighting tooth and nail in order to hold on to its power positions, even to the price of sacrificing its country’s economic interests and hard-won democratic institutions. The observed tension and anxiety in those circles should be seen in the light of the fact that their power today is seriously challenged by modernization itself.

What is being described here is a tug-of-war that has been going on for many years. The reason that the conflict has reached such an acute stage right now is the fact that an “Outsider” has proved eligible to the highest position in the state hierarchy, i.e. what amounts to nothing less than the most elevated position in the value hierarchy of the Established. The challenge is enormous. It is even unthinkable!

A critical reading of the slogans resounding during the large demonstrations in Ankara, Istanbul, Manisa, and Çanakkale during the last weeks, like “secularism in jeopardy” (”Laiklik elden gidiyor”), suggests that it is not the secular republic as much as the power and prestige of the secular Established itself that is under threat.

In this perspective it is especially paradoxical to notice the great role played by women in these street manifestations against the sitting AKP government. Paradoxical, because in their daily practices, women are those who should know best what it is like to be classified and treated as an Outsider.

The Established versus the Outsiders: an old guard defending its status position against what it regards as alien and threatening social groups. They are aliens - and therefore the flags, and threatening -- therefore the hostility.


08.05.2007

ELISABETH ÖZDALGA

yes How happy to say I am a Turk
by the way no to EU and USA and democracy

Note: these are not what I think but the mottos used in the rallies.

What a suprize you say I don't know enough.

Have you ever stopped to think how that comes across.

Is someone’s opinion only relevant if they have some sort of certification.

I could say the same to you.

We can all play that game but it isn't very constructive.

I never said I was scared...

quote.. It scares me...
a scary precedence..

There is a difference, you know.

As for the war in Iraq… I could accuse you of selectivity.

You do seem to be more concerned with the “so-called” threat of the “Islamists” than global imperialism. Bush and Blair have been conducting a war of terror and are still continuing yet you dismiss this as “another one of those lame reasons…”

“for supporting the AKP”…you said

Did you not read where I said “Wait before you condemn me as some defender of the AKP”

I have clear views.

I’m against war and imperialism, exploitation and oppression.

I just see the threat of alliances with Fascists as very dangerous.

CHP alongside the Işci Partisi
Işci Partisi wıth the Atatürk DüşÃ¼ncü Derneği
Atatürk DüşÃ¼ncü Derneği with Kerincsiz
Etc….all the way to the MHP.

Perhaps we could focus on the real issues as I said previously instead of getting sidetracked down a dangerous alley.

catwoman I have had respect for you but when it comes to this issue you're jumping peoples throats and I see no reason for that. This discussion is very flammable.

I have nothing against rallies in general, in fact I think it's the populations right to rebel if their government goes too far, but in this case it hasn't. Perhaps you'd like to know that personally I'm not for, neither against AKP. I'm well aware that people accused of being islamist and against democracy, like Gül is indeed religious but that's his personal belief and there's absolutely nothing that indicates he wants Turkey to head in the direction of extreme countries like Iran. This government has done so much when it comes to building bridges towards the EU - how can people suddenly think the opposite? There's no real threat on democracy, other than the army, in Turkey right now. If AKP party was to overthrow democracy I'd be first in line to protest, but that's simply not the case. If people are generally unhappy with the government, then so be it, elections are coming up in a short time; so elect a different party.

You mention people's right to rebel in democracy, which you're of course right about, but when you're talking about elements of democracy that apply specifically to Turkey, it makes no sense because you (generally speaking, not you specifically) can't just hide behind the word "DEMOCRACY!" when it's convenient. It's not possible to compromise it. There's various versions of democracy - like representative, direct and whatever they're called, but there was never such thing as turkish democracy. Army intervention is never democratic. I highly doubt that it's in the general population's interest because what follows it is insecurity, unstability and a very unclear picture of the future. Surely it's better to get rid of the government in a democratic way and indeed AKP will step down when another party is elected.

This is a golden chance for Turkey to show that it's a mature, democratic country, and I hope for the sake of the future that the army will not intervene. In a short time Turkey will probably have a different government and inşallah things will be back to normal in our wonderful, secular country

Here are some pictures from İzmir rally.
http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/modules/gallery/070512izmirmiting/

some groups trying to show as if a danger about secularism in Turkey and that make political tension higher,and i beleieve that theresn't any danger or threat about secualrism,and pity this groups calling emself with to be democratical,but seems they don't know real meaning og democracy,how come a democrat can blame other one about their beliefs or life style???a bit more tolerance and a bit more respect thats all what we need..

Lct you are against of everything ı guess. You dont want to learn Turkish grammer, but you do want to speak Turkish. You are not Turk but you do know better than us, what we like, what we are. Congratulations first! Second, since when loving your country, loving your flag, loving your nation and nation's best man "Atatürk" become shame? Me and the other Turks who attend those meetings are not ashamed any of these. Better get used to it.

Panta rei actually he/she did. But not in this topic. Stick around the site, you will find out

LCT:What gives you the right to think that your understanding of Turkey is any better or more correct than mine?

KeithL:Because the people you are disagreeing with are Turks, and you are not.

Question..

LCT:Is holding Turkish nationality the only qualification for understanding Turkey?

I'm sure many people would say yes.

Well that means that everybody who holds Turkish nationality has an understanding of the problem..

AKP,CHP,MHP,....etc.the people....

Do you agree with all these people?

Do you have to be black to understand that racism is wrong?
Do you have to be a woman to understand that sexism is wrong? No!

second point How do you know I don't hold Turkish citizenship?

I was not born in this country that is true but I live here.

I speak some Turkish and I came here to learn some more.
I got into an argument with someone here mainly because I objected to having my grammar corrected in English.
I wanted it to be corrected in Turkish...

I do not defend the sort of nationalism we are talking about anywhere...We may never agree on this but nationalism for me is aborrent...

I do not defend the nationalism of the country I was born in or any other country..I am an internationalist...



Quote LCT:They were saying on the rallies.. No left.. No right let's come together a third way....

That has a very scary precedence..

Quote KeithL:How is this scary? There was no violence. The only thing scary is the posibilty of a backwards islamic government

Do you know who use those arguments of a third way?
Processions of people feeling opressed by their government but also looking down on the poor...

Who?

You work it out?

Isn't that scary?

It is clear that this argument is going nowhere.

I still stand on a position opposing nationalism.

The only nationalism I would defend is that of an oppressed group fighting against imperialism.

This is not the case here.

The problem as I see it lies between the rich and the poor.
the boss and the worker.

I do not identify with someone because of their nationality.

The idea is absurd.

I have more in common with people all over the world by virtue of class than anything else.

İn Turkey, as everywhere, I look to the working class.
We are the ones who make everything produce everything.

Not the likes of Baykal or Erdogan...

So do not ask me to support some cross class alliance of nationalists bent on serving their own ends..

which society you are defending? Are they aware of you? Or just doing it by yourself? Even so, is this society the one my sister reads about them in gossip columns? High society. Socialism sounds very close to nationalism to me what do u think?