A First Lady Under Hijab

It's an odd sight for Turks - a first lady wearing the Islamic headscarf, the hijab. Hayrünnisa Gül, in fact, is the first Turkish first lady to wear the hijab since 1925. And this fact has become a matter of some contention in the officially secular, but also strongly Islamic country. Much like her husband's candidacy, marked by controversy over his Islamic affiliations, the headscarf row is seen as indicative of Turkey's deep divide over the role of political Islam. Turkey's secular establishment has opposed Mr. Gül's candidacy from the start, perceiving his elevation to the presidency as a threat to the "democratic, secular Turkish Republic."

The Turkish Army, considered the guardian of secularism and maker/breaker of Turkish governments, has overthrown the government three times since 1960 and orchestrated the removal of an Islamic-leaning prime minister in 1997. Now with a first lady under hijab, the Turkish Army did not hesitate from makings its dissatisfaction known. Only one day before Mr. Gül's election, General Yasar Büyükanıt, chief of the general staff, warned cryptically of "furtive plans which aim to undo the modern advances and ruin the Turkish republic's secular and democratic structures." Wearing the hijab in Turkey is banned in government offices, in schools and universities.

Star This to Save in Your Profile