Turkey represents now a daily rich material for mass media. It is usually shown as positive and effective, which makes it certain that Turkey has returned powerfully to the arena of Islamic activity. It is no exaggeration to say that it is now a powerful candidate to the leadership of the Islamic work.

 Thus said, we are not emotionally motivated to express a viewpoint supporting an Islamic government leading the country. Rather, we base our view on realistic facts, accurate statistics, serious censuses and clear features, all of which infer the fact that Turks are powerfully back on the scene. Actually, this is observed by concerned and non-concerned, friend and enemy parties. Moreover, everyone now, including Americans, Russians, Jews and Arabs, considers Turkey as the good bet.

A blessed return indeed! So let us give Turks a warm welcome back!

Let us now together review some important notices regarding the Turkish position during the last seven years, i.e. since Justice and Development Party headed by giant Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan came to power in the deep-rooted Muslim country.

 Turkey: a strong support of the Palestinian cause

First: Perhaps the most eye-catching scene during the last few years is Turkey's unwavering situation regarding the Zionist file in Palestine. Islamist Turkish leaders managed to imprint a very positive effect on the hearts of Muslim peoples in spite of the historical strong relation between Turkey and the Zionist entity. This took place in a distinguished gradually progressive manner, which indicates that Turkish politicians manage crises in high professionalism and deep understanding.

 To this effect, Turkey officially welcomed Hamas' winning 2006 parliamentary elections. By doing so, Turkey does not challenge the Zionist entity only, but also all other world great powers including the USA. Moreover, it received Hamas' leadership in Turkey, an unprecedented manner of blessing as has never been shown by any other Muslim country.

Waves of positive support of the Palestinian cause continued to escalate till they reached their zenith during the last Gaza War. The Turkish government announced powerful and clear comments accusing the Zionist entity of committing anti-humanity crimes. In addition, it permitted the Turkish people to practice Palestinians-supporting activities. As a result, different Turkish cities turned into arenas witnessing constructive activities in service of the Palestinian cause. The situation was much more escalated when the great ErdoÄŸan raged at the Zionist president Shimon Peres at the Davos conference scolding him in such a manner as has never been expected by Peres from a Muslim leader.

Most excessively, Turkey cancelled the Anatolian Eagle joint military maneuver by the US and NATO scheduled for in October, 2009 in Turkey due to Israel's participation. Turkey clearly stated, "We do not want to see the planes that bombed Gaza innocent children flying in Turkish skies." Furthermore, Ron Ben-Yishai, a prominent Israeli military analyst, was thus motivated to say, "However, we must recognize the fact that Ankara, for the time being at least, is no longer a dependable strategic and security partner for Israel. This fact already constitutes a substantial blow to our national security because it erodes our deterrent power vis-à-vis Iran and Syria."

The "zero-problems" policy

Second: Under the Justice and Development Party, Turkey developed an amazing Turkish-specific policy that is worthy of admiration and appreciation. It is the "zero-problems" policy which mean to “zero old and new problems with neighbors”. In other words, it is an attempt to leave aside the long-accumulated heritage of hate with some neighboring countries and work to start a new era securing an acceptable and approved, and not troublesome and bothersome, position as to the people of the world. The policy resulted in melting the ice in Turkey-Syria relations, which passed a very bad awkward period during which visas between the two countries were cancelled. Syrians now are permitted in Turkey for up to ninety days without the need to a visa, which reflects an amazing development in Syrian-Turkish relations. Moreover, Syria asked in 2008 for Turkey's intermediation between Bashar Al-Assad and Ehud Olmert in peace negotiations. This has already taken place but negotiations were halted as a result of the last Gaza war.

 More amazingly, after the joint military maneuver with the NATO was cancelled, Turkey conducted a joint military maneuver with Syria in an open challenge to the Zionist entity.

Actually, the "zero-problems" policy does not apply only to Syria but also Turkey applied the same to another country with whom it had a long history of enmity, namely, Armenia. Turkey held a historic agreement with Armenia to the effect of opening the borders between the two countries, a step that has never been expected by the most optimistic persons in the political arena.

Likewise, Turkey improved its relations to a great extent with Greece in an attempt to melt the ice in the Cyprus serious file, which is a very long-disputed territory between Turkey and Greece.

 Ties with the Muslim world rebuilt

Third: Turkey did not make ties only with neighboring countries but also gave hand to many Muslim countries. In this regard, Turkey paid a special attention to the ex USSR countries recently liberated such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others. Turkey established strong relations with such countries and paid attention to establishing schools and activating many productive projects therein. Intelligently enough, Turkey did not show enmity to Russia by doing so but dealt with the matter as Russia's partner, and not competitor, in dealing with such countries. Furthermore, Turkey reinforced economical cooperation with Russia (the once occupier of such countries) to the extent that Russia became the second main economical partner following the EU as the economical exchange between the two countries exceeded 25 BN $.

We all could see the strong Turkish stance against China's aggression against Muslim Uighurs in China-occupied territory of East Turkestan. Similarly, Turkey stood also by Azerbaijan. Although most Azerbaijani people are Shiites, they asked for Turkey's help after Iran had forsaken them and even taken the side of their Armenian enemy.

 Turkey's ties with the Muslim world were not thus limited. Rather, they extended to include most Muslim world's countries. To this effect, we could pursue the news of active journeys undertaken by the tripartite prime minister ErdoÄŸan, president Abdullah Gül and minister of foreign affairs Ahmet Davutoglu.

 Internal affairs also promoted

 Fourth: Absorbed in foreign relations, Turkish administration has never neglected internal affairs. On the contrary, they caused a notable progress during the last few years. Turkey is perhaps the only Muslim country, in addition to Malaysia, that ran elections whose fairness was not contested. Moreover, it is one of very few countries in which people's free choice determines the election of a president.

 Turkish daily life affairs

 Apart from the political aspect, daily life affairs of Turkish people witnessed a great boom. Suffice it to say that a comparison is now made between Istanbul prior to and after Justice and Development Party. Actually, it is now a city that is as modernized as many European cities. Furthermore, we are told about 450 BN $ city development projects to be undertaken within the coming months.

 The Kurdish issue solved

No doubt, Turkey is witnessing a growing notable stability, an important indicator of which is the fact that the Islamic Turkish government dared solve the Kurdish long-lived problem. In this regard, it proposed a peace offering through beginning to pay attention to regions where they are majority. This gave rise to the unity agreement for the first time, bearing in mind that all previous government failed to reconcile the interests of Kurds and Turks. In October 2009, we could see Turkish people giving a warm welcome to 34 Kurdistan Worker's Party members coming from Iraq after their rebellion is subdued and after their surrender to the Turkish army. Actually, setting them free is an initiative that will, if Allah so wills, have the effect of stopping the long-term shedding of Turkish as well as Kurdish blood.

 Turkish economy growing

Fifth: The Turkish economy is amazingly growing under the Justice and Development party. GDP increased from 300 BN $ in 2002 AD to 750 BN $, i.e. 150% increase, with a growth rate of 150%. Actually, economists can properly estimate such amazing results.

More than just government statistics, this growth reflected on the ordinary citizen whose individual per year income increased from 3300 $ in 2002 to 11.000 $ in 2008, which means that a five-member family has a per year average income of 55.000 $, an unpredictable increase in such a short period.

Turkish economy recently ranks 17th among world's most powerful economies although Turkey is a country of poor resources. According to this ranking, Turkish economy is more powerful than any other country in the region, including KSA (ranking 23rd) and the Zionist entity (ranking 40th). Although not an oil or gas producer, Turkey benefited from the blessing of returning to Islam. Moreover, Turkey's exports increased from 30 BN $ in 2002 to 130 BN $ in 2008, most of which are industrial products rather than raw materials. Half of such products is sold in European markets where it faces strong competition, while the other half is sold in more than 180 countries all over the world.

 Powerful Turkish army

Sixth: No doubt, the Turkish army is the most powerful Muslim army. In fact, it is incomparable to any Muslim army. It is the second most powerful army in the NATO following the US army in rank. Besides, it is the 8th most powerful army in the world and is more powerful than the French and British armies together. Although most of its armament is American-made, the new government started to diversify armament sources depending on such other alternative armament countries as Germany, England, France and Russia.

 The Turkish population

Seventh: Turkey is inhabited by a very great Muslim people, i.e. the deep-rooted Turks, who have many beneficent hands on the Muslim Ummah and bore the jihad flag for many successive centuries. They are characterized by an enthusiastic Islamic and wonderful faithful spirit. Suffice it to say that they, in spite of huge secularization and Westernization efforts undertaken by Atatürk and his followers, are still sticking to Islam in such a sublime manner.

Undoubtedly, Turks are great people whose population is estimated at 76 million thus ranking Turkey as the 17th country in the world as regarding population and the 2nd country in Europe following Germany (80 million) and prior to France (60 million) and England (58 million).

In addition, Turks are vivid and active people. The Turkish manpower is estimated as 23.5 million persons, which produces further production and progress. Therefore, the great number of population turned into a progress, welfare and development motive rather than an inflation and deficit cause as in other countries. Such countries consider population increase a disaster because people eat, enjoy, are preoccupied with (false) hope and are ignorant!

Moreover, the Turkish people is vital and risky. They traveled long ago to many European countries and spread Islam in the past through conquests and in the present through settlement, immigration and work. Suffice it to say that there are more than two million Turkish in Germany alone, who spread Islam, built mosques, centers and forums and had a tangible effect on the life course in Europe.

 Geographic location

Eighth: By virtue of its distinguished geographic location, Turkey stands the western gate of the Muslim world facing strong Europe. Actually, such a serious strategic location burdens her with many responsibilities, including spreading and defending Islam and being a party in all political, military and civilization equations between the East and the West. In fact, Turkey is indispensable for Muslims, Europeans and Americans as well as Russians. Furthermore, Turkey is essential for the Zionist entity and thus has to work out mechanisms for dealing with such a very important country.

Grandsons of Ottomans

Ninth: Historical depth is a key factor of Turkey's power. In this regard, we are reminded of the giant Ottoman Empire that has born the flag of Islam for six successive century, which makes it the longest dynasty to assume Islamic caliphate. Reaching its greatness culmination, the Ottoman Empire's rule extended over more than 20 million sq km with borders reaching from Algeria to the west in Africa to Iran in Asia and from Austria in middle Europe to Yemen to the south of Arabia. Thus extended, they turned the Mediterranean into an Ottoman-controlled semi-lake. Sometimes, they would fight against the armies of Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Portugal and their Shiite Safavid allies simultaneously.

In fact, the new Islamic government ruling Turkey now is proud of its Ottoman historical depth and like to be called the "new Ottomans". Actually, it is a great honor to be such affiliation compared to affiliation to other Jahili (non-Islamic) extinct civilizations, such as those of Phoenicians, Assyrians, Pharaohs and Humairis. Obviously, it is an Islamic affiliation that adds much to Turkey's power and push Turks to the front lines.

Arabic weakness and failure

Tenth: Turkey acquired all the abovementioned points of power in the existence of an obvious Arabic weakness and failure regarding many issues, most important of which is the Palestinian issue. Feeling terrified of the Iranian Shiite expansion, especially after Saddam Hussein's regime is ousted, Arabs found no other resort but the Sunni Turkish country. Doing so, they are not motivated by religion, for actually most Arab regimes are secular; rather, they aim at achieving political balances in the region. No doubt, Turks realize this role of theirs very well and do not ignore their role in defending Sunnis against Safavid Shiite ambitions. Therefore, Muslims all over the world set their hopes on them as regards putting an end to Shiite expansion backed by Western regimes.

Attempts to end racialist attitude between Arabs and Turks

Furthermore, new Turks do their best to end the deep-rooted heritage of hate and racialism between Arabs and Turks. To this effect, they seek to spread the Arabic – not the Turkish – language in such regions in the world as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. In addition, they issue Hira' – the first Arabic-speaking magazine in Turkey since the era of Atatürk.

So far, I have listed ten comprehensive points!

Much more is expected

Due to all these and other reasons, we expect that Turkey achieves a great progress during the coming few years and that many hopes are set on her. Moreover, we even charge her with the responsibility of bearing the flag asking Allah to help her and all sincere persons seeking the glory of this religion.

I ask Allah to glorify Islam and Muslims.

Dr. Ragheb ElSergany

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