Turkish Society

An anectode from the Victory Day celebration while 12 Days left…

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It is unbelievable but I have only 12 days left here. I do not have any night duties any more and thus I can sleep more and there is less physical work to do. I will probably be more online by next week. Last weekend there was the Victory Day celebrations and we were not … Read more

"Polls near, status quo anticipated

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An official video by Higher Election Council that teaches how to vote (In Turkish)

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"Armed" high school kids; 1 in 10 in Turkey

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 This is a survey result by a parliamentary commission. Knives or razor blades are accepted to be weapons though. Still, 6 % carry guns (!) Hmmm, "Among those asked" approach may not yield accurate results at all. Turks learn to boast in young ages. "I carry a gun" does not mean he really carries a gun…

Weapons ‘rife in Turkish schools’

More than one in 10 Turkish children takes a weapon to school, according to a survey by a parliamentary commission.

However, this still means something negative of course. Boasting about being armed… There follows some other survey results. Not a very positive social scene we have… 

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Mustafa Akyol on Anti-Semitism In Turkey

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Mr. Akyol wrote two columns on Anti-Semitism in Turkey recently. There are also other features related to Turkish society.. Have a look…

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One of AKP's best practices: "Turkey rehabilitates poet Hikmet

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Nazım Hikmet Ran

Turkey rehabilitates poet Hikmet

Turkey is to restore the citizenship of one of its most illustrious writers, the late Nazim Hikmet.

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"Photo Ed: Christians celebrate Christmas in Istanbul

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Turks at War (with themselves). Part IV.

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Around 2,500 people were injured in Turkey as they were trying to slaughter sheep and cows in the Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, Dogan News Agency reported on Monday.

In 2007,

 

by the second day at 15:00,

 1529 persons stabbed themselves or were attacked by the animals that were to be sacrificed. (Source here) Two died of heart attacks during the act of amateur butchery.

Here are the previous results: 2005 and 2006

More news from Turkish society:

 

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"Code of manners coming to Turkey

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Code of manners coming to Turkey

ANKARA – Turkish buses will no longer stink of lahmucun and salesmen will no longer knock on doors at all hours if Parliament approves the new Turkish Trade Code. Not as glamorous as reforms on freedom of speech, human rights or democracy, but updates to the articles of law are just as fundamental to the country’s bid to eventually become an EU member"

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A single case of social consensus:

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People from all walks of life are disgusted  with the child abuse suspect Hüseyin Üzmez  case. Despite a rarely seen consensus, Mr. Üzmez is free due to a suspicious health report…

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: 

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"The YÖK issue

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News
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.

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" Anti-Jew and anti-Muslim prejudice growing in EU

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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:

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Ramadan, the second day.

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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… 

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"Treatment of Widows and Divorced Women

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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!

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