Tag: Secularists

Culture Clash (Ataturk vs Erdogan) – Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey – Daily Mail Re-Blog

Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey as 1,700 protesters arrested after riots rock the country for a third day

  • Protests erupted again today against Turkey’s conservative government
  • Thousands took to the streets in rallies and demonstrations in three cities
  • Britons warned to avoid all but essential travel to parts of Turkey

By SUZANNAH HILLS

PUBLISHED: 11:24 EST, 2 June 2013 | UPDATED: 05:36 EST, 3 June 2013

Tens of thousands took to the streets in the country’s four biggest cities yesterday – the third day of anti-government protests – with demonstrators clashing with riot police, who repelled them with tear gas.

The unrest initially erupted on Friday when trees were torn down at a park in Istanbul’s main Taksim Square under government plans to redevelop the area. But they have widened into a broad show of defiance against the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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Blaze: An anti-government protester holds Turkey's national flag with a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on it Blaze: An anti-government protester holds Turkey’s national flag with a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on it
Gas: Police use water cannon as protesters run to avoid tear gas during the third day Gas: Police use water cannon as protesters run to avoid tear gas during the third day
Choke: Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected claims that he is a 'dictator,' dismissing protesters as an extremist fringeChoke: Turkey’s prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected claims that he is a ‘dictator,’ dismissing protesters as an extremist fringe
Riot: A protester falls down as he tries to throw back at police a tear gas canister Riot: A protester falls down as he tries to throw back at police a tear gas canister

Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed the main secular opposition party for inciting the crowds, and said the protests were aimed at depriving his ruling AK Party of votes as elections begin next year.

Erdogan said the plans to remake the square, long an iconic rallying point for mass demonstrations, would go ahead, including the construction of a new mosque and the rebuilding of a replica Ottoman-era barracks.

TURKEY: Mangled vehicles on the streets following two nights of…

And he said the protests – which were started by a small group of environmental campaigners but mushroomed when police used force to eject them from the park on Taksim Square – had nothing to do with the plans. Continue reading “Culture Clash (Ataturk vs Erdogan) – Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey – Daily Mail Re-Blog” →

Egypt Votes: Round One – Choose Secular or Islamist? (BBC News Re-Post)

Guess how each of these women voted?
Guess how each of these women voted?

Egyptians vote in divisive referendum on constitution – (BBC News)
People in Egypt are voting on a new constitution endorsed by the Islamist president, which has divided the country and sparked deadly unrest.

President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood have campaigned heavily in favour of the draft document, which may define Egypt for years to come.

Opponents say it is poorly drafted and overly favours Islamists.

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The BBC’s Jon Leyne reports from Cairo that the referendum is more than a vote on obscure clauses – it is about whether Egypt should be an Islamic country or a secular one.

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The opposition National Salvation Front coalition has accused the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to rig the vote.

However, the ballot, which is staggered over Saturday and a second day of voting in a week’s time, appears to be going smoothly with indications of a high turnout.

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How did Coptic Pope Tawadros vote? Click on pic link for story.

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BBC correspondents at polling stations report a relaxed mood. Many people said they were voting for the restoration of stability in Egypt. Continue reading “Egypt Votes: Round One – Choose Secular or Islamist? (BBC News Re-Post)” →