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The struggle for the political identity of Turkey intensifies with the prospect of the country being led by a president with an Islamist past.
Scores of people (about 700,000) on Sunday marched to protest against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his agenda to move Turkey away from the country's secular bequest.
The controversy over the presidential candidature of Abdullah Gul has recommenced an argument over Turkey's identity. That debate has intensified since the current government came to power, formed from a party with roots in political Islam.
Turkey has been a secular nation since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founded of the secular republic, separated religion and state, gave women the vote, restricted Islamic dress and replaced Arabic script with the Roman alphabet after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Existing Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who will be stepping down on May 16, addressing military officers on Friday feared and warned the upcoming threats to the democracy and secular spirit of the nation.
For the first time, the pillars of the secular republic are being openly questioned.
If Abdullah Gul, an observant Muslim who is likely to win the presidential election, succeeds in winning the bid for the upcoming elections, the secular future of Turkey may well be at stake.
Abdullah Gul, with his hidden political Islam won't let the nation turn to the secular West and the fact that his wife wears the Muslim headscarf, banned in universities and public offices makes it more worrisome for the seculars, as she will wear it as a first lady too.
However, the pro-secular military, which holds a strong influence in Turkey, won't let the power slide into the hands of Islamic extremists that could well mar the future prospects and economy of the nation, especially when Turkey after extensive efforts is close to win an EU membership.
While Turks rationally value the secular nature of their democracy, one wonders if the threat to democracy isn't greater from another military coup than it is from a Gul presidency.
Moreover, the common people of Turkey can only grow by sound policies of an open and secular government and better access to the EU markets would be one the best moments for the nation.
