The failed coup in Turkey exposes again (but conveniently ignored in mainstream discourse) western hypocrisy. It can be deduced from western mainstream media as the coup unfolds, their inclination to see Erdogan go. Shamelessly discarding their mantra of the defender of democracy. They were probably hoping that like Morsi in Egypt, to just let another of this ‘Islamist’ disappear ‘into the night’ quietly.
By the Grace of God, the people of Turkey unlike the Arabs in Egypt, stood together as one united people in denouncing the Military (most probably western backed) coup. Even the so-called secularist had the integrity to see through the game being played and stood by the democracy they believed in where differing opinions are discussed and debated and where disagreements do not mean hatred for each other.
This coup also exposes the conniving hypocrites in the ranks and file of state institutions in Turkey who instead of addressing grievances through the ballot box, had the audacity to resort to non-constitutional means to overthrow an elected government.
There is a lesson in all this for everyone who shout so much about rule of law, that when it comes to their own interest/preference (even in Singapore), they are likewise guilty of fanning this hypocrisy by rooting the illegal coup ‘quietly’ wishing for the overthrow of Erdogan. When will we grow up to behave like mature adults to debate and discuss and differ too but respect the rule of law to ensure justice for all within the democratic process. Or are we in truth only pretentious and not so civilized after all.
Integrity is the true test of character and sadly in the aborted coup event in Turkey, in our instinctive response, exposes our severe lack of it. Failure in our collective consistency to always follow agreed rule of law (local or international) but instead flip-flopping shamelessly, has led to the mess in the middle east when western powers since the time of colonization until today, deemed it their strange privilege to decide leaders of countries justified by their own self-interest ignoring the wishes of the indigenous population.
We will continue to allow this injustices on earth through our selective conscience so long as we choose to look the other way when our comfort zone, our people, our religion, our heritage, our civilization, our guy is doing the bad thing.
Instead we who claimed to be educated, modern and the so-called proud believers in democracy must raise our collective voices in praise of the success of the people of Turkey in fighting back and defying rogue elements of the Turkish military with their lives. In truth, the Turks in the streets of Ankara and Istanbul last Friday are fore runners in moving humanity forward in the spirit of defending civilization than all of us put together.
Walk the Talk people!!!!
Source: Damanhuri Abas
