People concerned about the direction Islam is taking or may take should pay careful attention to Turkey. A Muslim society with a strong tradition of secularism and democracy (though imposed through force), it is currently having trouble reconciling that secularism with Muslim doctrines. If Turkey can work things out positively, there is hope for Muslims elsewhere.

The Economist reports:

Reconciling ... contradictions in a way that satisfies both secular and pious Turks is one of the biggest challenges facing Turkey as it seeks to join the European Union. Turks pride themselves on being the most modern and democratic nation in the Islamic world, one that can serve as a bridge between East and West and help avert the “clash of civilisations”.

As a sign of what Turkish secularists are up against, the magazine recounts this story:

In an ancient madrassa in the hills near Bitlis, a septuagenarian sheikh consults Islamic scriptures as he speaks over the phone. Sheikh Nureddin, a spiritual leader in Turkey's Kurdish south-east, is negotiating over a young woman hiding in his home. Hatice Kaya's in-laws have wanted her dead since November, when she was kidnapped by her childhood sweetheart and then abandoned. Only her blood can cleanse the stain of dishonour, the family insists. “Nonsense,” sniffs the sheikh. “Islam forgives, the Prophet forgives, and so will her husband.”

Islam can be progressive and coexist with secular democracy. It won't be easy for this to happen, but the experience of Turkey demonstrates that progress can be made and positive developments can occur, given the right circumstances. In Turkey, those circumstances have been imposed by force and military might. Can the same be done in other nations? Probably not, which means that other sorts of circumstances have to be found.

 

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