Protests in Istanbul

"May you live in interesting times" Old Chinese Curse that sounds like a Blessing


It's an interesting time to be here in Istanbul.  There have been a few days of rather stormy protests in one or two specific areas.  There have been many arrests - and some injuries due primarily to tear gas and apparently heavy handling of the situation by the police. 

The protest stems from one particular issue, but represents a growing feeling of dissatisfaction of the current Islamist government which many feel has become too authoritarian and imposing conservative Islamic values on an officially secular and democratic country.  Prime Minister Edogan has described himself as a Muslim prime minister of a secular state, which is not how many Turksih wish to view themselves. 

It is thought he may seek an amendment to the constitution and introduce a presidential system. His opponents fear that the change from the current parliamentary system would grant too much power to a man they already accuse of authoritarianism. The Republic was founded in 1923 as a strictly secularist and nationalist state - not just a separation of state and religion, but also the removal of religion from all aspects of public life. So it's no wonder there is some concern here.

The issue that seems to have broken the proverbial camel's back is the decision to remove a park, a particularly rare and well used park for the neighbourhood in question.  I heard one report that it will become a mall ("yet another shopping mall" was the quote) and another that it will become a mosque ("we don't need another mosque" was the quote).  Regardless, a large group gathered Friday which resulted in the usual and unfortunate damage and looting, but also in the use of tear gas and police batons.

The atmosphere today was calmer and less eventful, with music concerts in the park, and calls for the gathering to remain peaceful.

I was amused by a comment Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said about social media, through which the protests have been co-ordinated and discussed. He said Twitter was a "curse" and an "extreme version of lying."  There are many that would no doubt agree with him but not for the reasons he has I expect.  His words just made me laugh.  They remind me of a line from one of Monty Python's movies (Search for the Holy Grail).  "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!"

To anyone who might be worried then, don't be.  It's not like being confronted with dynamite-throwing protest rallies like I was in Bolivia, or like being suched under the sea onto a coral reef like I was in Tonga, or having to choose between tarantula spiders and land mines, and chosing land mines as the preferred option like I was in Cambodia.  Is this making you feel better?

Seriously, we will watch with interest but from afar. A couple of the students went closer to the area yesterday afternoon, when things were calm and many streets before they encountered touts who were selling gas masks.  Those Turkish merchants are always on top of ways to sell!