Headscarved "First Lady" elicits strong reaction from women in Turkey
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 26, 2007 12:45
The likelihood that Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara will for the first time since the formation of the Turkish Republic see a "turbaned" or headscarf-wearing "First Lady" has elicited strong reactions from certain civil society organizations across the country.
Hayrunnisa Gul's turban will be among the focuses of the planned April 29 protest rally in Istanbul, which will be attended in force by the Turkish Modern Life Support Foundation, as well as the Republic Women's Foundation.
"This is a situation unacceptable to the people of modern Turkey"
Turkan Saylan, the President of the Modern Life Support Foundation, points to the turbans worn by the spouses of the top ranked members of the AKP, saying "The fact that a person who has complained about their own country to the European Court of Human Rights is going to move to Cankaya as the spouse of the President is not a situation that the people of modern Turkey can accept. We are not completely opposed to the turban; if laws are followed, anyone who wants can wear one. But it as a political symbol, it is unnecessary. The opposition is behaving very hypocritically on this subject by not saying anything. A family which we have not chosen is heading to Cankaya, and this is anathema to secular Turkey, and it is being forced. But from this point onwards there are going to be problems within the AKP. There will be a loud response to this at the general elections."
Speaking for the Republic Women's Foundation, President Senal Sarihan said "We would have liked to see a President who protected the values of the Republic, and who took the right steps towards independence."
"This is a situation unacceptable to the people of modern Turkey"
Turkan Saylan, the President of the Modern Life Support Foundation, points to the turbans worn by the spouses of the top ranked members of the AKP, saying "The fact that a person who has complained about their own country to the European Court of Human Rights is going to move to Cankaya as the spouse of the President is not a situation that the people of modern Turkey can accept. We are not completely opposed to the turban; if laws are followed, anyone who wants can wear one. But it as a political symbol, it is unnecessary. The opposition is behaving very hypocritically on this subject by not saying anything. A family which we have not chosen is heading to Cankaya, and this is anathema to secular Turkey, and it is being forced. But from this point onwards there are going to be problems within the AKP. There will be a loud response to this at the general elections."
Speaking for the Republic Women's Foundation, President Senal Sarihan said "We would have liked to see a President who protected the values of the Republic, and who took the right steps towards independence."