I wish the Islamism arguments would continue earnestly, and don't center on the politics, Gülen-led group, rulership and money relations that surround it. Because, this frame is pulling the Islamists into the argument, rather than Islamism. It is causing slander. It's preventing us from seeing the essential thing and getting down to the root of the problems. Maybe, it's desired to be like this. Maybe, this way they want to prevent us from saving ourselves from our mistakes by going down to the root of the problems, and prevent us from benefiting from Islamism, which is still the only hope. The desire is to have the Islam communities lose their belief in the ideas that come forth from their own lands. So that they will run back to the Western ideologies for the solution again!
The most problematic side of the arguments over Islamism is the relation established with AK Party. This relation is important. Because, this relation embarks upon quite wide aspects. As a matter of fact, during the AK Party period, Islamists had been on the agenda of Turkey, the region and the world, and reached moral political and economic relations. Substantially, AK Party is representing a rulership, which includes Islamist and implements various policies. Since 2002, we've witnessed; expansions, democratizations, confrontations with coups, economic initiations and attempts to change the Constitution. People with Islamist identities have a big contribution towards carrying out all this. Partly, their beliefs and hopes were reflected on these tasks. The most important example to this is; the Resolution Process being conducted around the nation concept.
AK Party rulership is entering various unorthodox alliances in the Middle East and Islam world. They are objecting to the world system. Their highest-level leader, Erdoğan is saying; “The world is bigger than five.” This expression is a challenging expression directed at the world system, namely, the United Nations Security Council. There are many aids and investments provided in Somali and other African countries. Most of these are coming from Islamists; their motivation in doing this is their belief in Islam. AK Party is a rulership that provided 5 million dollars' worth of aid to the world. Besides, when it's compared to the share it received in the world economy; it's not within reason! They are embracing two and a half million Syrian immigrants. In coordination with Islamist NGOs (like IHH, Deniz Feneri and Yeryüzü Doktorları), they are providing charity, hope and support to the world. No nationalist, Kurdish, leftist or liberal movement is included in this. All of these are realized with the coordinated works and support with the AK Party rulership. It's based on the beliefs, motivations and organizations of the Islamists.
AK Party and the Islamism relation is quite important. However, perceiving this relation over the poisonings and seducing of the rulership is a great distortion. Because, it's representing a one-way view. It's stating a deficient reading. For example; the democratic expansions in Turkey, and the Islamists' expressions in the resolution of the Kurdish issue provided the issue to be moved on to the public. The Islamic brotherhood and nation's expressions embarked on important roles in this. Islamists, with their minimum equipment, contributed a lot to Turkey, the region and the world. AK Party contributed a lot to the Islamists. They contributed towards positioning them in the government, having them identify the government, expand to the world and become actors. The Islamists acquired a legitimate visibility in the Turkish community. They were brought forward in the media, academy, intellectual circles and fund relations. They overcame being treated with the “under the counter ideology” attitude of the government and white Turks. They were saved from being stuck in Fatih and the suburbs! With their self-confidences, they started intellectual trips, arguments, and participating in academic circles and media. They acquired the opportunity of free competition. During the AK Party period, the Islamists, who existed by hiding and being cringed with embarrassment in the universities not so long ago, started finding the opportunity of equal representation in the universities.
AK Party's rulership didn't stop the Islamists, rather they carried them to the role of administrating the government. AK Party united them with the opportunity of having a say in the Middle East and the world. AK Party provided them a chance to get out of their caves, narrow neighborhoods and group-faction environments, which include vicious cycles. During this process, there will be tests for sure. Some will lose, and some will advance while getting stronger. AK Party personnel are included in this.
