E-coup in Turkey

I remember military coup of 1981 in Turkey. I was in second grade and the military had taken control of the country, bringing an abrupt (albeit painful) end to civil strife between right- and left-wing political groups. My parents were relieved. My teacher was relieved. Everybody felt safer -- including the children. The months following the coup were somewhat startling. Every night, the national TV channel broadcasted groups of "terrorists" caught in various cities. My dad sent me to my room sometimes when these news came up, because he didn't want me to be affected. But I already was so drawn into the stories, there was no escape. I recorded everything I saw and heard -- the woman who was attacked in her house for her gold bracelets, the butcher who was shot in his shop because he claimed the wrong political side, the teachers who were held at gunpoint in the classrooms. The military, acting in defense of the common people, had stepped in to re-establish order.

Following the coup of 1981, it took some years for Turkey to transition into a freer environment of social debate. Some criticised the military intervention as undemocratic, but all were appreciative of the chance to start anew and to have a chance at becoming a prospering, forward-looking nation.

Years have passed, faces of fighters changed, yet the cycle has remained the same. Turkey is yet again at a significant cross-roads. The military issued the following release on Friday evening:

http://www.tsk.mil.tr/bashalk/basac/2007/a08.htm

For those who cannot read Turkish, let me translate: It's essentially a statement directed to those politicians who are using religion (Islam) to manipulate people and to bring a backwards regime to a modernized country. The military, it says, is closely watching these developments and is ready to step in to protect the secular regime.

Everyone I know at home is making tongue-in-cheek remarks and calling this an e-coup. Today, more than 1 million people marched in Istanbul. My family and friends went, my parents' friends and my friends' parents went. The people who want a decent future for themselves and for their children marched. They demanded that reason reign over hypocracy and that their lives are not curbed by some corrupt, archaic theological order.

It's sad that we still argue in this day and age whether women and men should be segregated in public buildings and whether local groups should be able to organize made-up celebrations in Prophet Mohammed's name in elementary schools. Imagine the same energy being spent on the sciences, the economy and the arts. Yet, it's time to put a firm fist on the table to stop the nonsense brought upon us by these pseudo pious people who are trying to command the whole population with a vote based on 20%. If you want to discuss religion and pray, do it at your home, do it at the mosque, don't bring it to the schools, don't use it to govern.

I cannot go to Istanbul to march with friends and family. But I can raise my voice, write and publish. This is not about advocating a military regime. I am for a secular order, and so is the military.