Quick Hit: Fight for Scarf Rights in Turkey
I was so moved by the New York Times profile of Turkish lawyer, Fatma Benli. At just 34-years-old, she is the leader of the fight for Muslim womens' right to wear their scarves in public places, especially at school. She told the Times:
I could tell you about domestic violence, about honor killings, about the parts of the criminal code that discriminate against women. But we can’t move on to those issues. The head scarf is where we are stuck.
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I spent a year in Turkey (1986) with the USAF. I thought at the time that they were very progressive for not allowing headscarves in public buildings.
The article gave me a different perspective; headscarves are a silly thing to discriminate over, especially in colleges!
I wouldnt necessarily say headscarves are a silly thing to discriminate against. It all goes back to ataturk and his decrees which he had, at least in his mind and many others, a very good reason for making.
Turkey has a lot of problems but it would be far more backward if it didnt take such a hard stance on issues like these. Perhaps the time has come to relent but its really hard for us to say that as we dont understand the situation over there.
where were in turkey twin, incirlik?
just wanted to add that ataturk was also the one who instituted full equal rights for women in turkey, he was unable to really enforce it as he died a few years later but it was back in the 30's, quite an accomplishment.