GATESTONE
by Burak Bekdil
April 9, 2015

Turkey is probably one of the best social laboratories in the world to prove why Islamist ideology cannot be compatible with a culture of humor, dissent and protest. It also offers a unique experience that shows how Islamists can even violate one of their religion’s most fundamental teachings for the sake of worshipping a leader’s cult personality. At a parliamentary session in February, Turkish deputies gathered to debate a controversial security bill. Instead of debate, a brawl broke out. The session ended after five MPs were taken to the hospital. That bill, sponsored by the government but fiercely rebuked by the opposition, has just taken effect, adding to fears that Turkey is fast becoming a police state. For instance, the new bill gives the police the right to detain a person if they deem the situationin flagrante delicto (while the crime is blazing).  READ MORE