Erkan's Field Diary

 

Lifting the veil on child abuse

State Minister Nimet Çubukçu should be commended for reacting quickly to the unexpected release, pending trial, of child abuse suspect Hüseyin Üzmez.

Üzmez went to trial and was found guilty

Mehmet Ali Birand

That in which Üzmez trusts

By YILDIRIM TÜRKER

The face of the entire society is contorted in disgust. As one, we are all watching the "heroic rapist" performance by Vakit newspaper writer Hüseyin Üzmez.

Many older but notable features on Turkish society: 

Continue reading "A single case of social consensus:" »

Posted by erkan at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

John Singer Sargent (United States, 1856–1925), Dolce Far Niente, 1907 found here

The Turkish '68 - The Lost Generation

The resurgence of Islam in Turkey began as a counter-reaction to the leftist student activism of 1968; one of the key activists among the right-wing students of the time is now the country's president. Zafer Senocak takes a look back"

The YÖK issue

By ESER KARAKAŞ, STAR

The Higher Education Board (YÖK) has been an interesting institution, as well as an interesting issue, since it was established. On YÖK’s anniversary, on Nov. 6, if I am not mistaken, this issue will be discussed once again.

A case to take a lesson from

Kudos to the students of Boğaziçi University! Congratulations to those who lend support to others’ fight for freedom! Please look once again at that beautiful photo that will leave its mark on the history of Boğaziçi University.

Continue reading ""The YÖK issue" »

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Survey: Anti-Jew and anti-Muslim prejudice growing in EU

A new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that hostile views towards Jews and Muslims are on the rise in Europe, even while fundamentalism and support for terrorism appear to be dwindling in the Muslim world.

Poland and Italy most religious in Europe, study finds

EU Politics News - theParliament.com:

A major new study on religious belief has found that rates of religiousaffiliation are highest in Poland and Italy, while France has a highpercentage of non-religious individuals.

Turkey related foundings from the survey:

Continue reading "" Anti-Jew and anti-Muslim prejudice growing in EU" »

Posted by erkan at 01:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Ramadan started all over the world.  A whole month of fasting. Now I have to get back to work/writing so i will read the Wikipedia entry for fasting later but it seems Islam's is one of the most difficult fasting tasks. I wonder what kind of liars were those who said Islam is a religion of ease in my childhood. What kind of easiness involved in this ritual? :) As part of my eccentric fragments of belief, I do fasting. And since I don't feel attached to collective part of it, it doesn't seem very sensical. However, it is yet another test of iron will I won't quit. I think fasting is easier when practiced collectively and I sometimes feel jealosy for those living in a more collective mood. Yes, at least my family does fasting- mostly. But theirs is too routinized. I have to attend Iftar frequently because they are upset if i don't. But the iftar is just another dinner in which I have to put with the then current family issues.

Anyway, here is a roundup on Ramadan, corruption in Turkey- Zeynep Göğüş interview seems to be linked extensively in the net-, Alevis and AKP, and an update on Sulukule... 

Continue reading "Ramadan, the second day." »

Posted by erkan at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In the following text, you will find a huge round up on Turkish society. I highlighted Jenny White's emphasis on a particular section of Turkish women but there is also stuff on the threat of a new earthquake in Istanbul, Tuzla disasters, Turkish academia and in the mean time Istanbul is burning with heat and humidity. Boy, I am doing my best to ignore the evil weather!

Continue reading ""Treatment of Widows and Divorced Women" »

Posted by erkan at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)