btw bro i just got to know about your blog through hanna.. good job! well-written pieces & balanced views. go go ridhwan! =)

But I would like to highlight & expand on one of your concluding point:

“Perhaps more need to be done to ensure that Muslim community especially are united in our War Against Terrorism – not because it’s an American-led but because the notion of Islam itself that rejects terrorism, tyranny, oppressions and injustices.”

I do not disagree with this statement. But I do wish to contest the use of the term “War Against Terrorism.”

What exactly is “War Against Terrorism”?
Why is this war only recently brought up when Muslims in some parts of the world have already been terrorized decades ago? We make “terrorism” as an issue only because non-Muslim authorities say that it is an issue.

When this happens, Muslims are like the weeds that sway in the direction of the wind - lacking a firm stand of our own.
And “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.” - Malcolm X

———-
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the current Muslim authorities’ efforts to stem out false Islamic ideologies are bad. In fact, I am glad that they make such initiatives. My argument is clear: Expanding the concept of terrorism beyond just the suicide bomber who shouts “Allahu Akhbar”. And then, address this expanded concept of terrorism.

Allah knows best.

I think that the courts, legislative body all should serve as checks and balances to the power of the executive and Turkey, as all democracies, should be no different. The Constutional Court of Egypt has the power to overturn any executive decree (except state of emergency) if it finds it unconstitutional. I personally believe in diluting the power of the executive.

On Turkey’s present issue with the Kurds, I think the incursion is two-fold, both as means to halt PKK activities, as well as to sway attention from the proposed constitutional change. How Erdogan and Gul spoke in front of a large photo of Mustafa Kemal to me was also a way to pacify the Kemalist-secularists.

All things considered, Turkey is a different planet altogether to me. It is so unique and different from any other country’s experience that a little bit of relativity is needed to assess it.

just my 2 cents worth. maybe 3 cents due to the gst hike and inflation