Turkey makes steps towards Islamic Reformation...

[Dowding]

About time, really. Heard this on the radio today - apparently they are going to re-write the Haddith (2nd most important text in Islam setting out how the Qu'ran is to be interpretted) - focussing on anti-Christian sentiment and women's rights.

Sounds like quite a bold move that is worth observing.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by Dowding
...apparently they are going to re-write the Haddith ... focusing on anti-Christian sentiment and women's rights.

Are they going softer or more hard-line?

[FrodeMk3]

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Are they going softer or more hard-line?

That was the first thing I thought, too.

[-tronski-]

The Turkish Military wouldn't allow the govt to become hardline...they see defending the secular govt. as one of their most important roles

 Tronsky

[Dowding]

They believe the current text is inhibiting Turkish growth, both culturally and economically.

They are softening the interpretations expressed in the Hadith - seems quite unprecedented in the Sunni world and relates to parts the Shi'ites take very, very seriously.

[Rich46yo]

Originally posted by -tronski-
The Turkish Military wouldn't allow the govt to become hardline...they see defending the secular govt. as one of their most important roles

 Tronsky

                      Used to be. When I was there they were hanging Politicians, and anyone else that gave them problems. But like in Pakistan the Turkish army is getting out of Politics, most of all with the pressure from the EU to do so.

                    Funny aint it? Pressure from the West actually strengthens the fundamentalists.

[bozon]

Originally posted by Rich46yo
Funny aint it? Pressure from the West actually strengthens the fundamentalists.

And it will not be the first time.

Anyway, the developments in Turkey are extremely interesting. I have very high hopes for this country.

[Ripsnort]

In the infamous voice of Madeline Khan..."It's twue! It's TWUE!"

Turkey is preparing to publish a document that represents a revolutionary reinterpretation of Islam - and a controversial and radical modernisation of the religion.

The country's powerful Department of Religious Affairs has commissioned a team of theologians at Ankara University to carry out a fundamental revision of the Hadith, the second most sacred text in Islam after the Koran.

The Hadith is a collection of thousands of sayings reputed to come from the Prophet Muhammad.

As such, it is the principal guide for Muslims in interpreting the Koran and the source of the vast majority of Islamic law, or Sharia.

  This is kind of akin to the Christian Reformation. Not exactly the same, but... it's changing the theological foundations of [the] religion

Fadi Hakura,
Turkey expert, Chatham House

But the Turkish state has come to see the Hadith as having an often negative influence on a society it is in a hurry to modernise, and believes it responsible for obscuring the original values of Islam.

It says that a significant number of the sayings were never uttered by Muhammad, and even some that were need now to be reinterpreted.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7264903.stm

[Yeager]

Perhaps OBL and AQ can now focus their hatred and violence against the infidel Turks!

Speaking of OBL, has anyone seen the guy lately?  I mean since Bush let him get away why should the guy be afraid to poke his head out of the hole from time to time?

[AKIron]

Admirable goal but I suspect they are biting off more than they can chew.

[john9001]

OBL has not made a video since the battle of Tora Bora. It is my opinion he is dead.

[CptTrips]

I'm sorry.  I simply can't take that country seriously until they change their name.  


Wab

[FrodeMk3]

Originally posted by john9001
OBL has not made a video since the battle of Tora Bora. It is my opinion he is dead.

I'm thinking he's hiding in switzerland, getting his Dialysis treatments.

[Shuckins]

Osama is a master of disguise.  He's currently masquerading as vulture scat.

[Rollins]

Originally posted by Shuckins
Osama is a master of disguise.  He's currently masquerading as vulture scat.

Hardly a stretch.