Turkey not a Muslim democracy

Turkey not a Muslim democracy

Re: Turkey’s risky gambit, Editorial Sept. 17

The statement, “Turkey has flourished as a Muslim democracy,” implies that Islam is the state religion of Turkey. It is not so. Although the current Prime Minister is from an Islamist party, the constitution of Turkey is secular and without a state religion.

Secondly, and more importantly, the term “Muslim democracy” is incorrect. A cardinal principle of democracy is that it must be secular and that there must be a separation of church and state. If a country has a state religion — let’s say Islam — then it can be called an Muslim republic or theocracy, but it can never be called a democracy.

Sukumar Roy, Newmarket

via Turkey not a Muslim democracy – thestar.com.