This is how it started in my country Malaysia. Little by little, Islamisation crept in. In the beginning there was only persuasion, but that was only until they had the numbers. Once the cricial mass was reached, then there will be not stopping it.

In early 1980's only a few muslim women wore headscarves, but now almost are compelled to wear. The only winners are the religious imams who now yield considerable power and have a say over everything anyone can or cannot do.

If things continue as they are, I give "secular" Turkey 15-20 years from now, afterwhich Turkish people won't remember what secularism is.

Jack Daniels, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Suggestions of a 'secularism versus democracy' rift are suggestive of a false dichotomy. Theocracy is not democratic in the morally interesting sense even in the rare cases (of which Turkey is not one) that it is majority-favored. Modern democracy means human rights respecting democracy, bill of rights constrained democracy. Theocracy is incompatibel with that. Just as were 'majority'-elected Nazis.

Maynard, Oxford, UK

AKP under the leadership of Tayip Erdogan has brought in a relatively stable economy, while promoting the poorest sectors of the populace, thus obtaining a large following from this sector. They have ushered in reforms that have pushed Turkey closer to EU norms. Whereas, the brightest of Turkey's potential leaders have stayed out of public life thus leaving the other parties bankrupt of talent. The old guard that remains the leadership of these parties fail to offer a vision for a modern Turkey. The advent of new parties are opportunist whose only view is based on monetary gain for themselves and their families. None really care for Turkey. The military is the only faction that cares for Turkey, yet they are bound to protect the republic and not form ties to political aspirations. It is a critical time for Turkey's future, however, its choices provide little hope for a real charismatic new Attaturk to step forward in Turkey's future. Fundamentalism is not a viable choice.

S. D. Collins, Ankara, Turkey

You are absolutely justified in your efforts to support current government because it helps you to turn Turkey into a dependent country on you by selling strategical enterprises to you with comic prices and giving the highest interest rates in the world for your volatile money going around the world to take highest returns. Reformist? I am sure you are laughing at your own words. But be sure, in spite of your every effort, Turkish people are not stuppid and they will not vote to please you, they will vote to "flush down" this arabesque government which aspires to turn Turkey into an Middle Eastern not Western country on contrary to your arguments.

Ozlem, Istanbul, Turkey

This article completely contradicts the views and arguments put forward in The Times editorial published yesterday.

It is the first time some Western journalist seems to have the understanding of the dangers posed by AKP and is warning the West and some short sighted authors as above about the consequences of another term by this Islamic administration.

Turkey has no alternative other than to hold on to her nationalistic and secularist roots as she receives no support and is put in a position of no win by EU. What is not comprehensible however is that why it is in the interest of West to support this current Islamic party.

Betula Nelson, Kent, UK

The thought that Turkiye will turn into a middle east country has no value. It is a paranoia of secular elite in Turkish society.The women who don't wear dresses proper to Ä°slamic belief have no problem in their social life. Contrary to this women with head scarves are exposed to injustice in their educational and working life etc.Furthermore they are acccused of being a threat for secular state of Turkish Republic. I agree with the opinion that there is a mistake in understanding of "freedom".

Merve, istanbul, TURKIYE

Why are you trying to attribute the reforms solely on AKP?It was the former coalition which started the reform wave, and the only thing AKP has done it to continue the process. The economic program they have implemented was also formed by Kemal DerviÅŸ-ex-minister of economy,current head of UNDP. Plus it is a huge fact that the foriegn policy they followed was a complete disaster. The EU assession process stopeed, their Iraq policy failed and the terror which stopped 5 years ago within our terratorries has started once again. Foreign press continues to flatter this goverment because they pay the highest interest rate in the world (foreign share in capital markets is 70%)Who cares how political Islam changes the lifestyle of Turks,right?

Meltem Bayramli, Istanbul, Turkey

The figures presented here do no give a true account,
'99.8% of Turkey’s population currently identify themselves as Muslim, most of those as Sunnis. The other 0.2% consists largely of Christians and Jews'.
I believe this is incorrect as there is no mention of the ALEVI's of which can easily have a 20-25% of Turkey's population.

Levent, London,

Some parties are even vaguely offering to solve the headscarf situation but headscarf is a political symbol in Turkey. I have never approved using religion and nationalism to poll in the parties election campaign.

AHU COSKUN, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

You are absolutely justified in your efforts to support current government because it helps you to turn Turkey into a dependent country on you by selling strategical enterprises to you with comic prices and giving he highest interest rates in the world for your volatile money going around the world to take highest returns. Reformist? I am sure you are laughing at your own words. But be sure, in sipite of your every effort, Turkish people are not stuppid and they will not vote to please you, they will vote to "flush down" this arabesque government which aspires to turn Turkey into an Middle Eastern not Western country on contrary your arguments.

Ozlem, Istanbul, Turkey

This looks like a very one sided view, sugaring the Islamist agenda of the AK Party. The recent BBC 2 Newsnight item on the creeping Islamification of Turkish politics is much better analysis. As to EU membership this must be put on hold until we discover what really is going in Turkey, whether democracy is just a temporary tool for the AK party, and whether eg churches and Christian preaching is feely allowed or not.

T, Abingdon, UK

You are absolutely justified in your efforts to support current government because it helps you to turn Turkey into a dependent country on you by selling strategically important enterprises to you with comic prices and giving the highest interest rates in the world for your volatile money going around the world to take highest returns. Reformist? I am sure you are laughing at your own words. But be sure, in spite of your every effort, Turkish people are not stupid and they will not vote to please you, they will vote to "flush down" this arabesque government which aspires to turn Turkey into an Middle Eastern not Western country on contrary to your arguments.

Ozlem, Istanbul, Turkey

AKPs mission is no longer a secret misson. Their 'Freedom' understanding is entirely different than what we understand in the West and they cleverly used it as a weapon to gain the majority of the votes unfortunately. Most people are forced and bribed to wear headscarfs and the way they wear the whole outfit is almost like a uniform . They choose the most bright but less wealhy youngsters as their militants for future, provide them money and luxury accomodation during their education . So what does this mean to the whole world while we are already distressed with radical Islamic terrorisim??

Selcuk Ardan, Ankara, Turkey

Really difficult to understand how western country could be unaware who is the AKP. Their logic is the same with fanatic islamist with who bombed london. when Europe cauntries will learn their real target the time will be to late for them.It means will be another Iran stye country next to their border. The choise is amoungs AKP with secularism the same to choise the middle ages and 2007. please more proper research please correct observation to understand what is the real aim of AKP, Do u think who has fundelmenal islamist belief could be demecrat

Mehmet Derik, Istanbul, Turkey

It seems that the military interference in presidential election on 27 April strengthened the AKP:

An interesting article: Sacrificing democracy to secularism:

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=77294

cenk tanık, Reading, Berkshire

I would be very surprised if there were many blonde girls dancing among old ladies in taditional headscarves - more like a vast majority of young women persuaded to wear new egg head shaped scarves which seem to have appeared lately for some reason - and the author knows this very well

David Arthur, London, UK

AKP and Mr. Tayyip Erdogan is a threat to secular Turkish life and world peace. I believe that they have secret agenda to achive their radical islamic state and social life. For the last 4 and a half years, religious training and background became the first criteria for the assignment of the state officers. Political muslim style headscarf is their symbol and used for their political purposes. I think their main purpose is to create a religion state in Turkey.

Levent, Izmir, Turkey

It is not correct to say that the Turkish military has unseated four Islamist governments since 1960. Only the so-called soft coup of 1997 forced an Islamist government to resign.

Michael Kuser, Istanbul, Turkey

A swaggering PM ...is that what the country of 71 million needs to lead it? Do they need someone who makes 'quips' about other party leaders? I hope the voters of Turkey elect at least 4 parties so the parliment can have a group of well educated, experienced statemen and politicians to guide this country in the next 4 years. As for Mrs. Gul and her 'islamic" headscarf. Tell the truth..it is an AK party symbol that is followed by the party faithful. Mr. Gul was not nominated as the next president of Turkey..he was selected by the PM and the PM only without as is the tradition, a concesses of the parliment. They just continued to do what they had done for 4 years...what ever they wanted to...most of the time being stopped by the opposition or the president , and thank goodness for that. Lets have a parliment who represents all of Turkey..not only 40% of the voters...that is not a majority of the population.

jkyolar, Istanbul, Turkey