Headscarf controversy in Turkey (Essay Sample)

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The Headscarf Controversy in Turkey
The Turkish state was founded on secularist foundations by the nation’s founding father Kemal Ataturk. Kemal intended that Turkey would be a secular state in which government functions and decisions were devoid of religious influences. Among other reforms that came into force in the 1924 Turkish constitution was the discouragement on use of headscarves by women. They was seen as an impediment to the secularization of the state because it was a religious symbol. It was also deemed as a symbol of backwardness. Considering the fact that at 95 percent, Islam is the overwhelmingly major religion in Turkey. There have been clashes and disagreements between those who support the state sponsored secularism and those who are more conservative with their religious beliefs.
The alleged reason as to why successive regimes in Turkey continue to promote the ban on headscarves is for secularization and modernization of the country. A Surge in the use of headscarves in the 80s was subsequently stopped by the military who had grown weary of Islamic parties that were resurging at that time. The ban on headscarves by the state in the military, civil service, schools and other domains of Turkish society may be seen as a step towards secularization. However, to religiously minded women of the society, a choice has to be made between their jobs and their faith. Rights are violated when someone is put in a position where one is forced to submit to the will of the state. While there are those who support state policy, the voices of those against it deserves as much a chance to be heard.
Going by statistics, there have been many cases in Turkey where women have been sentenced to jail for wearing headscarves in school, work place or public places. Some have even been manhandled. Despite this, the campaign against the ban on the use of headscarves has only grown stronger. The best course of action would be to allow the people to decide directly. As a state decision, it is susceptible to political intentions. The best way to decide whether the headscarves should be banned or not would be through a referendum. Such a referendum would have to include other existing "Modernization" and "Secularization" clauses to make it cost-effective. The ban on headscarves has been on steady decline. The gov...