"The Turkish paradox and the prophets of Eurabia
By Gideon Rachman
Published: April 30 2007 19:17 | Last updated: April 30 2007 19:17
What is the answer to the rise of fundamentalism across the Muslim world? For years Europeans and Americans thought they knew the antidote: secular democracy.
In the Islamic world, Turkey has been the shining example. Not only is the country a member of Nato; it has also been held up as proof that a country can be simultaneously Muslim, prosperous, secular and democratic. So what are we to make of events in Turkey now? Secularists have demonstrated in huge numbers because they are terrified by the prospect of the indirect election of a mildly Islamist president, and the army has hinted that it may stage a coup to protect the secular character of the state. Secularism and democracy seem to be at war."
More:FT.com / Columnists / Gideon Rachman - The Turkish paradox and the prophets of Eurabia
