Istanbul: Strong reaction to a plan for a women-only
park in Istanbul has focused attention on the divisions
between Turkey's secularists and supporters of the
ruling AK Party, which has its roots in political
Islam.
Critics of the plan see it as the latest sign that
the ruling party is trying to push through an Islamist
agenda, but female voters in the district yesterday said
they loved the idea.
News that the AK Party-run municipality of Bagcilar
was planning to create a park exclusively for women,
reported in the local press this week, prompted a fierce
reaction among secular Turks who say the party is trying
to give Islam a greater role in public life.
The controversy reached parliament on Thursday, when
opposition lawmaker Bihlun Tamayligil said: "Can you
reconcile the principles of the Republic with applying
the segregation of men and
women?" |