Central Asia Muslim Countries

Ms. MitchellCultural RevolutionsAndover High School

Table of Contents Turkey Afghanistan Iraq Iran Saudi Arabia Pakistan Syria

Turkey

Stuck Between East and West

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

First President of the Republic of Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Rose to power after WWI. Was a military hero at the Battle of Gallipoli—the

only Ottoman victory against Allied forces 1919 National liberation struggle 1923 Republic of Turkey First president of the Republic President for 15 years, until his death in 1938

Religious to Secular Ottoman Empire was a theocracy, ruled by a sultan

since 1571 Ataturk ordered the National Assembly to turn to a

secular state Moved the capital to Ankara

Ataturk’s Reforms Outlawed the fez Banned the veil Allowed women to vote and hold office Banned polygamy Religion of state no longer Islam Muslim calendar replaced by European Latin letters replaced Arabic characters Qur’an translated to Turkish

Dragging Turkey to the Modern World

Replaced Sharia (Islamic) Law with secular civil code Converted state owned factories into private Established a rail network Instituted education reforms. Literacy rates rose from

20% to 90%

“For the people, in spite of the people”

Ataturk’s Slogan

Continued Tensions Kemalists (secularists) fear democracy will allow

religion to rule the state again. Islamists do not want government to overrule Muslim

religion. Turkish people feel they have to choose between

their religion and their government.

The Veil Today Despite the ban, there was a rise of women wearing

head scarves in schools in the 1970s and 1980s. 1984: First widespread application of the ban came into

effect. 1997: Laws interpreted to be applied to all educational

institutions—not just state owned. All universities must comply.

2000: Nuray Bezirgan, wore a veil during her final exams in university. Sentenced to six months in ail for “obstructing the education of others.” European Court of Human Rights has upheld the ban several times.

Veil, continued Prime Minister Erdogan won a Parliamentary campaign in

2007 with the promise to end the ban. Feb. 2008: Turkish Parliament passed an amendment to the

constitution allowing women to wear the headscarf in university

June 2008: Turkish Constitutional Court overrules/annuls the amendment citing it as a violation of the founding principles of the constitution. This decision cannot be appealed.

2010: Headscarves informally permitted. Educational institutions won’t take action against women wearing the veil but still look down upon it.

Turkey and the European Union

Applied for admission In a long limbo, waiting to find out Might be up to 10 years before the application is approved

(2015) Many perks for Turkey such as open borders, financial aid,

etc. All EU participants must unanimously vote to admit Turkey Not looking great as of December 2011 (71% against

admission)

Turkey and the EUPro

Key regional power, large economy, second largest military force of NATO

Key geographic location for access to resources

Sweden, UK

Cons “Too far” outside Europe Enlargement Issues—if

they let Turkey in, who’s next?

Austria, Germany, France

Afghanistan

Geography and People Landlocked. Slightly smaller than Texas Major issue facing the country is a lack of fresh, drinkable

water, coupled with overgrazing and desertification. The result is little water to drink or farm and an inability to produce enough food.

Kabul = capital 99% Muslim (80 Sunni/ 19% Shite) 97.6% of population under age 65 28.1% literacy rate and schooling expectancy of 7-11

years (female/male)

Government & Economy Universal suffrage at age 18 Mixed legal system of customary, civil, and Islamic

law Democratically elected president for 5 year term,

option for a second term Pressures on the government: religious groups, tribal

leaders, ethnically based groups, and the Taliban One of the lowest living standards in the world

Brief History Founded in 1747 Won independence from Britain in 1919 Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the

Communist regime Soviet Union withdrew in 1989 after attacks and

pressures from anti-Communist mujahedin rebels US covertly supported the mujahedin (moo-jah-deen)

Fell to the Taliban in 1996

Brief History, cntd. After 2001 terrorist attacks on America, a US, Allied,

and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban

Adoption of new constitution and National Assembly in 2004. Islamic Republic.

2005—Hamid Karzai first democratically president of Afghanistan

2009—Karzai re-elected

US War in Afghanistan October 2001: Military campaign against targeted terrorist

facilities and Taliban military/political assets Operation Enduring Freedom

November 2001: Kabul fell Many Taliban leaders fled to Pakistan December 2001: International Security Assistance Force

founded by UN Security Council to secure Kabul and surrounding areas

2003—present: Taliban insurgents campaign against Islamic Republic and the presence of ISAF troops

May 2012—NATO approves withdrawal plan

US Relations May 2012: US and Afghanistan sign Enduring

Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America 10 year partnership demonstrating US’ commitment to

strengthen Afghanistan’s sovereignty, stability and prosperity

Continued cooperation to defeat al-Qaida and its affiliates

Major Non-NATO Ally Maintaining of embassies

Soviet War Coming Thursday

The Taliban and al-Qaeda

Coming Friday

Iraq

Iran

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

Syria