Sunday, April 29, 2007
Turkish anti-Islamic rally draws 500,000 | International News | News | Telegraph
"Turkish anti-Islamic rally draws 500,000
By Duncan Hooper and agencies
Last Updated: 2:51pm BST 29/04/2007
Around half a million people gathered in Istanbul today demanding the resignation of the pro-Islamic government.
The rally will spur fears of a military coup as it follows a steep rise in tensions between Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's prime minister, and the pro-secular army, which accuses the government of tolerating the activities of radical Muslims.
"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," the protesters chanted, waving the national flag.
Ahmet Yurdakul, 63 year-old a retired government employee accused the government of wanting to "drag Turkey to the dark ages." "
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