‘No Constitution revision now’

‘Follow Turks to uproot terror’

“THE recently failed coup attempt in Turkey was not void of warnings and lessons to be learned,” columnist, representative of the State of Kuwait to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Consultative Committee and former MP Abdulmohsen Yusuf Jamal wrote for Al-Qabas daily Wednesday.

“In this context, one may say that the attitude adopted by the Turkish opposition and secularist political parties entails categorical rejection of the coup attempt. Although these parties are opposing the ruling party, the Justice and Development Party led by President Recep Tayyep Erdogan, they have adopted an attitude which is based on supporting democracy and rejecting any attempt to make change in the country through a military coup.

“However, the unique and brave attitude adopted by the Turkish opposition in spite of differences with the ruling Justice and Development Party signifies that democracy is deep rooted in the Turkish community. This means that democracy is currently the sole choice for this community, while such development entails that the exchange of political power should not be realized by the military.

“The gallant attitude of the Turkish shall positively affect all communities throughout the Third World countries in general, and the Arab World in particular, considering we know that the latter is presently suffering from armed struggles which erupted many years ago.

“Meanwhile, one may suggest that the behavior of the Turkish government towards the neighboring countries after the failed military coup attempt should be different from its behavior prior to the incident. The Turkish government must also believe that the ruling regime will change only if it is desired by people, not through military coups supported by foreign powers.

“In other words, Turkey should be a different country after the coup attempt, particularly since we know that the incumbent Turkish government suffered from blatant embarrassment when it found itself confronting a military force whereas the Turkish street rescued it from such an impasse. Also, the attitude of the opposition was in harmony with that of the street, so the recent military coup attempt failed drastically due to the unity of the Turkish street and the opposition.

“In this context, one may suggest that the ‘Zero Problem’ policy adopted by the previous Turkish government was successful, hence, the incumbent government must follow suit and put the policy into action for the benefit of various components of the Turkish community as well as the peoples in the region in general.

“On the other hand, the current phase and circumstances in the region entail that everyone must coordinate their efforts to fight terrorism which is rampant in Syria, Iraq and Libya, especially since we know that the Turkish government currently holds a lot of cards for uprooting terrorism.

“Apart from the above, the incumbent Turkish government of religious whim should realize that it has been propelled to the helm of rule through the Turkish secular order. Hence, it would be for the good of the entire Turkish community to see the incumbent government fully abiding by the country’s constitution which should not be revised within the current phase. Simply, this constitution is, at the moment, a safety valve for the government, opposition and minorities in the Turkish community.

“In conclusion, the current Turkish government should realize and keep in mind that the ‘Turkish Consensus Mind’ rescued the country from collapse and deterioration. This was evident in the spontaneous attitude of the Turkish who swiftly responded to the Turkish president’s call to take to the streets to foil the military coup attempt which was aimed at making political changes in the country through military.”

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Jamal

“Whether we agree or disagree with President Recep Tayyep Erdogan, we have no choice but to appreciate this man considering the respect that his people have given him and the opposition in his country,” columnist Dr Ali Abdurrahman Al-Huwail wrote for Al-Anba daily.

“In the meantime, we should bear in mind that Erdogan is our strong ally who has the capability to adjust the balances of power in the region in our favor, particularly in terms of confronting Iran and its allies.

“The Turkish people and the political opposition recently confirmed their commitment and support for Erdogan’s government although some of the latter violated democracy in terms of his struggles with the Armed Forces. This reflects the Turkish people’s conviction that this man is guarantee for the continuation of democracy in their country.

“Looking into Erdogan’s achievements over the past years, one would understand why the Turkish people have insisted on keeping this man in political power. Before Erdogan and his ruling party took over the political power in 2003, Turkey’s economic growth rate was 9.5 percent compared to the current growth rate of more than 9.9 percent.

“Prior to the formation of Erdogan’s government in 2003, the inflation rate in Turkey was 50 percent, compared to not more than 10 percent at present. Moreover, Turkey used to export unmanufactured products valued at $32 billion, but during the reign of Erdogan, the country entered the phase of industrialization and this increased the value of exported manufactured products to $134 billion per annum.

“Not only that, Erdogan’s government increased the gross national product (GNP) to about three to four trillion, while the income per capita increased from $3,300 per annum to $10,500 per annum. It also paid all overdue debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — estimated at $25 billion.

“Although we agree that Erdogan has imposed some restriction on the Turkish press as evident in the apprehension of many journalists without justification and his government oppressed the popular Intifada that erupted three years ago in Taqseem Square, it is needless to say that he has not utilized democracy in his favor alone. He strongly combated corruption and prevented it from spreading in his country.

“For us in the Gulf region, it is needless to say that the above is a Turkish internal affair, but the current circumstances entail that we have to maintain a robust relationship with the Turkey of Erdogan, because this man is capable of adjusting the balance of power between the Arabian Gulf countries and Iran in favor of the former.

“Hence, we in the Arabian Gulf region will be committed in following an independent policy in dealing with Turkey to maintain our independence, far away from any emotion adopted by some non-Gulf persons calling for bestowing the title, ‘Muslims Khalifa’, on Erdogan.”

“The world is afflicted with an irregular and strange organization which has no precedent but the Khawarej that appeared in the early period of Islam, violating the blood and money of Muslims under the label, ‘No Judge but Allah’,” columnist Fadel Al-Taleb wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“The danger posed by Khawarej became bigger until the year 38 AH when they were destroyed in Nahrawan Battle except for nine persons who ran away and formed the core of the new Khawarej of the present age. By the beginning of the socalled Arab Spring, the new Khawarej appeared again using the same label, ‘No judge but Allah’, as an excuse for establishing the Islamic State. They were engaged in their favorite hobby of cutting heads before the eyes of the entire world in a barbarian way that has nothing to do with the instructions of Islam.

“Strangely, the group has many supporters in our society despite its horrible actions. By monitoring the social media, we will find out that the group has many fans who sympathize with its actions, especially the actions committed outside their countries. This shows the growing threat that challenges our country, if it is not handled as fast as possible.

“Who is responsible for the growing number of those supporters? Who filled their minds with this corrupt ideology which made them justify the bombing of mosques and killing of the innocent? Some solutions might help eliminate such perverted ideology such as enforcing laws which stipulate harsh penalties, similar to the laws of Oman that is considered a good example of co-existence between the members of society regardless of religion or sector.

“We cannot neglect the role of the family and the State in promoting the ideas on tolerance and peace. We call on the State to monitor the scholars who keep on calling the youths to carry out a fake Jihad. It is essential for the youths to use their leisure time for volunteer activities and business which are fruitful in all levels. Nevertheless, these groups might end through military operations but their ideas will remain — time bombs that may explode anytime.”

“Interior Ministry Undersecretary Lieutenant General Sulaiman Al-Fahd took a step in the right direction when he issued a directive prohibiting securitymen from using mobile phones by hand while on duty,” columnist Ali Muhammad Al-Fairouz wrote for Al-Rai daily.

“Many securitymen who use mobile phones by hand lose concentration when performing their duties. We noticed this attitude on the main roads throughout Kuwait. We saw how many of them pay no attention to the roads and focus on their devices. They violate the laws in public owing to the lack of follow-up on their activities.

“Although all of us became attached to smart phones and monitor the social media constantly, this must not affect the flow of work. Most of us have seen the video clip of a securityman in one airport busy with his mobile phone while the passengers are passing by. Imagine we have this model in Kuwait!

“The world is changing and we can be affected by any action that occurs thousands of miles away from our country. We must be aware that we cannot live isolated from the rest of the world. We must have an open eye to see any mistake which a terrorist might take advantage of. Anybody who is not ready to protect his country should stay at home and give his position to another who knows how to do the task properly. It is improper to appoint securitymen and traffic officers who pay no attention to their role in maintaining security of the country.

“Al-Fahd also issued a decision prohibiting the parking of patrol cars on sidewalks, especially the locations where vehicles are not allowed to stop. These decisions is in line with the rule that all the people are equal before the law, otherwise, we will live in a mess. It is unacceptable that securitymen enforce the laws but do not respect them. Decision number 193/2016 of the undersecretary curbed the spread of violations among securitymen who think they are above the law.”

“DAESH has been depending on its relationship with families and associates to recruit members and also launch terrorist attacks. This dangerous observation should be studied carefully,” Professor Hisham Al-Awadhi wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“The observation has been clearly displayed on several occasions and the latest terrorist plan targeted Kuwait few days ago. The role played by a mother Hessa Abdullah Mohammad among other members of the cell arrested by the Ministry of Interior, as reported in the media, was pivotal. She instigated her youngest son Abdullah Mohammad Omar to join the Islamic State (IS) and he was killed in Iraq during a battle. Her second son Ali Mohammad Omar dropped out of school abroad to travel with her to Al-Riqqa area in Syria where he joined IS.

“In detail, Hessa was the psychological and ideological morale booster for the wives and children of terrorists. In essence, the social unit of DAESH is not just about individuals but families. This means that women—mothers and wives, play vital roles.”

“A couple of months ago, the Turkish Air Defense struck and brought down a Russian jet few minutes after issuing a warning for its breach of Turkey’s air territory,” columnist Dr Humoud Al-Khattab wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.

“The daring act upset Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev who seemed quite frustrated about the incident. Unable to act in response, Medvedev decided to place economic sanctions on turkey that resulted in serious economic crises in Russia, with the prices of foodstuffs skyrocketing to unbelievable levels and car merchants incurring losses for the suspension of imported spare parts from Turkey.

“Brave Erdogan decided to amend relationship with Russia, and the latter hurried to reconcile with Turkey — an initiative that came as a surprise to NATO which considers Turkey ‘a freelancer with personal abilities to move freely’. NATO is quite conscious about Turkey, the powerful independent freelancer, and recent events that turkey is able to make decisions that affect the international community and it’s no longer a piece of chessboard for NATO.”

“Despite the publication of various books on DAESH, the most important of which is the twice winner of Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction Award – Joby Warrick, no one knows how ‘DAESH’ and all its ramifications came into existence,” columnist Sami Abdullatif Al-Nesf wrote for Al-Anba daily.

“It is certain that the impact DAESH made through its operations in the entire world would not have been created by the simple minds of Arabs. In other words, Arabs would not have made a complex savage like DAESH whose actions have had a devastating effect on the events and the course of history.

“This organization expanded its operations to Europe up to a point where a country like Britain has opted out of the European Union (EU), largely because of fear of what the immigration caused by DAESH could do to their society. If it was not for this fear, Britain would not have thought of breaking its ties with the EU.

“If DAESH managed to control the minds of youths in a devilish way and pushed them to commit suicidal missions and mass killings, it has also succeeded in terrorizing Western nations. The support for far-right political parties is growing due to their promise to protect their nations from groups like DAESH. This explains why someone like Donald Trump is doing very well in his campaigns.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb