to the author of this article
Reader comment on item: An Open Letter to Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Sayin Akademisyen yazar,

I do not know your name but it is not important. You have been the translator to my feelings too. As a Turkish born American myself, It is very sad to see my beautiful birthland, once an example for the only democratic secular country with a population mostly made of Muslims is no longer following the enlightened path of Kemal Ataturk.

When I was an elementary school student in th e1950ies in Izmir my teacher used to tell us that the Ataturk statue near Passaport has his finger pointing to the west and this was no coincidence. Unfortunately things have changed ever since. Today AKP and Erdogan's Turkey is facing south east, looking more and more like Iran and Saudi Arabia with every passing year. In every election poor peple votes are bought for a care package of rice and beans or a bag of charcoal or a washing machine while the new rich are content that AKPs green capital is adding to their wealth.

I am glad to see that there are some of us whou raise their voice against those who are using (or rather abusing) the good name of Islam to gain political influence or reach their dark objectives. USA, the west and NATO can only fight military battles with these criminal organisations such as Al Kaida, Hamas, Ibda-C etc. However the real fight to eradicate these enemies of civilisation and peaceful Islam can only be conducted by the modern civilised educated Muslims around the world. This is why it is important to see academics such as yourself to eloquently raise your voice. At least you can count on me one other Turkish American to be behind you. I am sure more will follow.

Saygilarimla

Note: IPT will moderate reader comments. We reserve the right to edit or remove any comment we determine to be inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to, comments that include swearing, name calling, or offensive language involving race, religion or ethnicity. All comments must include an email address for verification.