Turquie en Europe

[Tafart]

05 mars 2007

Turkey’s EU membership and the Muslim world

I attended the 12th Abant Platform meeting titled “Islam, the West and
Modernization” organized jointly by Turkey’s Journalists and Writers
Foundation and Egypt’s Al Azhar Center for Political and Strategic
Studies held in Cairo Feb. 25-26.

The concept of modernization, the different meanings it can assume, the
varying ways in which societies have experienced it and the differences
and similarities between the Turkish and Egyptian experiences in
modernization were the main topics discussed. The presentation that
interested me most, however, was Egyptian professor İbrahim Bayumi
Ganim’s talk on “The Significance of Turkey’s EU Membership for the
Muslim World.” Ganim, who seemed to have a keen interest in Turkish
affairs, raised the following points:

“Turkish affairs are in general a remote issue for the Egyptian public.
Egypt is, however, increasingly aware of the rise of a new Turkey since
the mid-1990s. Turkey is no longer an outpost of the Western alliance in
our region as it used to be during the Cold War period. The image of
Turkey has considerably changed during the rule of Justice and
Development Party. Turkey is an Islamic country, and its possible EU
membership concerns the whole Muslim world. If Turkey joins, it is going
to become the voice of the Muslim World in the EU. Turkey is likely to
temper the power of Israel in the EU and help resolve the Palestinian
problem. It will consolidate its democracy within the EU and become a
true model for Islamic countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. A truly
secular Turkey can also help overcome the controversy over the
relationship between religion and the state in Arabic countries.

Secularism as separation of religion and the state does not threaten
Muslim identity. Turkey, as a member of the EU, would also strengthen
the dialogue between the Muslim world and the West and contribute to
mutual understanding between the two. If rejected, however, Turkey may
be expected to turn away from the West.”

It may be said that Ganim’s point of view on the subject reflected those
of at least most of the Egyptian participants at the conference. There
exists, however, a totally different point of view on the subject in
Egypt. I was able to hear that point of view from Ebtisam Hussein, a
young doctoral student at Cairo University who wanted to interview me
for the thesis she was writing on the topic of “Turkey’s
Democratization.” Miss Hussein, who impressed me with her intelligence,
knowledge of world affairs, good English skills and black Arab eyes,
seemed to me to be a representative of the generation of young Egyptians
who are to build a modern future for their country. When she was through
with her interrogation, I questioned her about Egypt’s domestic politics
and did not fail to raise the question on her understanding of Turkey’s
EU membership and its significance for the Muslim world.

This is briefly what she said: “Turkish membership to the EU is supposed
to bridge the gap between Muslim countries and Europe. Turkey, however,
is with its history and culture as different from Muslim countries as it
is from European countries. It is hard to claim that a Turkish Muslim
has the same mindset as an Egyptian or Saudi or Algerian Muslim. If
those other Muslims have anything in common, Turkish Muslims have much
less to share with them. These are my views… The Egyptian public
perceives Turkish accession to the EU as a strictly Turkish affair and
it is viewed as a long, harsh and discriminative process. They see the
process rather as a manifestation of the clash of civilizations than an
opportunity to overcome it.”

Ebtisam wishes to visit Turkey for some months to deepen her knowledge
of Turkish affairs by studying at a university. I told her,
instinctively, that such possibilities could surely be available. But
then sadly remembered that she would not be allowed on Turkish
university campuses due to the headscarf she so elegantly wears. That
stupid ban has to be lifted.

Source:
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/ya...haberno=104474