BBC NEWS: Turkey's secularism 'threatened' - by Sarah Rainsford
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Turkey's secularism 'threatened' - by Sarah Rainsford
Turkey's outgoing president has warned the country's secular system faces its greatest threat since the founding of the republic in 1923.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said attempts to bring religion into politics were stirring social tensions. His comments come as Turkey prepares for elections which could see the current religious-minded prime minister becoming president if he stands.The outgoing President Sezer also lashed out at unnamed foreign forces, saying democratisation efforts, including steps to reduce the political role of the military, were a threat to the established order. He said any challenge to Turkey's strict secular system was not a step forward to a moderate Muslim state, but a step backwards towards radical Islam.
Labels: Elections, Secularism, Turkey
