The "Privilege" Argument:
Secularism CAN'T BE against Hijab/Turban/Beard

[December 2000]

Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance
Upper Iowa University

Dear Shetubondhon Friends,

Salam and greetings.

In the previous section I explained how even some secular humanists categorically reject such "privilege" argument/approach.

There are quite a few things about Turkish secular fundamentalism and its defense/rationalization to explain it away that I find disturbing.

Turkey is a Muslim majority country. Its secularist identity and political apparatus have been hoisted on the country in no less than fascist fashion. The current secularist regime defends Turkish secular veneer in the name of its founder, Kamal Pasha.  Lest we forget, this great man's secularist principle was so high and "puritanical" that he imposed beard-ban on Turkey's citizens. Well, the legacy of such coercive extremism continues unabated, of which the Hijab issue is only a current manifestation. Since I haven't heard any condemnation of such former practice of beard-ban, I presume that either it has escaped our attention or we might have some other "privileged" rationalization of the beard-ban too.

The ghost of secular fundamentalism is rising from the grave of Kamal Ataturk as the stretch of campaign in defense of "secularism" has in recent years broadened from hijab of women to turban and beard of men. Again. [Christian Science Monitor, 3/25/98] http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1998/03/25/intl/intl.4.html

Just like "enacting/enforcing" laws to have beard is not in consonance with the spirit of Islam, and ought to be condemned, if secularism gets bogged down with headcovering, turbans and beard, then it is the "privilege" of those who either defend or rationalize such policy. But it would be then that much more difficult to identify any talking point between Muslims and secularists. Fortunately, as it is being gradually recognized, Turkey must not be condemned for secularism, but for secular fundamentalism.

And, that's why there can be meaningful dialog between Muslims and secularists, but the same may not apply to the secular fundamentalists and their defenders/rationalizers.

By the way, quite some time ago, Nazrul invited us to rise above Dari-Tiki. He would have been equally animated against such antipathy toward beard, where even Tagore would have had difficulty, were he a Turkish citizen.

If you have not already, you might like to listen to an audio file of Dari-Tiki at: http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/farooqmo/recite.htm .

Best regards.

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