When you hear news of a protest in the Middle East, what is the first thing you think? “Oh great, another anti-American smash’em-up…what did Bush do now…what anti-Christian venom is being spit and for what purpose?”

While these might not be your exact thoughts, I think it’s safe to argue that news of protest in the Muslim world fills us, here in the West, subconciously with fear and animosity. That’s why the latest round of protests in Turkey break the mold set by years of strife and religious extremism in the Middle East.  

Yesterday, over a million and a half people clogged the port city of Izmir, Turkey in an emphatic display against the pro-Islamic government over fears that the government is in the process of installing a leader more sympathetic to Islamic law than to Turkey’s foundation of secularism. Wow, how often do we see this? A movement in the Middle East FOR secularism? Unheard of!

The Turkish people have been adament in their tradition of a strict separation of church and state since the secular revolution in 1923 lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, but it would be unfair to label the ruling AK party as a despotic theocracy just yet. In fact, the ruling party’s record has been harmoniously in line with the principles declared in 1923. What I think is most troubling to the pro-secular Turks is a fear of their government slowly slipping into the throws of religious based ruling, as has been seen across the region for decades. They should be careful, however, as the military has threatened to intervene if the upcoming elections appear to be too “Islamic” – just because the President or Prime Minister’s wife wears a veil (which are not allowed in public buildings) does not mean the country is in for another Islamic revolution. It is important, though, that the citizens of Turkey show their government that they strongly believe in government based on a seperation between church and state. Let’s just hope that they can prove it through democratic means, and not military intervention.

Turks in Europe?

Another hot button issue in the European region is the question of Turkey’s admittance into the European Union. Certainly, if the military intervenes in Turkey’s upcoming elections, they can forget about it. But the fact that talks are already underway between the Union and the Turkish government leads me to believe that, if Turkey continues to follow its foundation of secular government and if it is willing to conform to the market principles of the EU, we will one day see them join the ranks of the European nations.

Many in Europe are hostile to this idea. For one thing, the admittance of Turkey would automatically make them the most populous nation in the EU. That would also make Islam its largest religion. It’s funny that Europe, so pious in its own secular values, would be so hostile to a Muslim country equally pious in its secularity.

Also, by adding Turkey, the European boarder would extend to touch countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Iran – which many feel will bring terrorism and instability to their peaceful European boarders. This also begs the question: where will European expansion stop? Many are already worried that the current 27 are already burdensome. If they add Turkey, why not Syria? After all, the two are, in fact, connected; even more so than Turkey connects to Bulgaria! How about Israel? They have already made a case for their right to join. Certainly the new Iraq would find many advantages in joining. And Russia, already a portion of many current maps of Europe, would extend the EU all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and give it neighbors such as Mongolia and China.

Of course some of these suggestions are unrealistic; however, the debate is still a vigorous and worthwhile one: where will Europe stop?

The United States has enacted the policy supporting Turkey’s bid for the EU, and it should continue with that. President elect Nicolas Sarkozy of France and outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain have also been supportive of this. The mixing of Christian and Muslim nations into a political union could produce and amazing vehicle that would spearhead the Middle East peace initiative. The EU would also gain more legitimacy in dealing with Islamic affairs as they arrise in the Middle East, Africa, and in their own backyard. Will Turkey one day be admitted into the EU. I say yes, but you can bet they will not get there without a fight.