0.70

The head scarf is only a piece of cloth - but it has become a symbol for a power-struggle in Turkey which has become the biggest crisis for years and which nearly led to a coup.

0.26

For women like Elif the headscarf is part of their Muslim identity. But for many it is the symbol of political Islam, which is being removed from public institutions.

0.37

In Turkey the majority of people are Muslims, but it is a secular state, not an Islamic one: the Turkish constitution is based on a strict separation of state and religion. And so stringently so that the Islamic headscarf in universities has even been banned. In no other country in Europe is this the case.

0.55

So, whilst Isil could study, Elif could not.
A major concern of the Islamic government is that the headscarf ban in universities should be repealed. The Constitutional Court revised the law since it caused uproar in Turkey.

1.13

Do students with headscarves mark the beginning of the Islamisation of the state? Or is it rather an expression that traditional Turkish women can seek education, jobs and careers on the same level as their male colleagues.

1.32

OT Isil Sariyüce, Journalist (Judith)

Headscarved girls in universities and streets...

Why would women with headscarves at the university bother me? We live well together. I myself do not wear a headscarf, I am not orthodox, but I respect that they pray and cover their hair. In state institutions it is a different matter, but in the university? It is their right to study.

1.56

Headscarves are not the issue between us. We are almost the same age, we talk about life, about music, many of my friends do not wear a headscarf, that's no problem. The fact that I was not allowed to go to the university, that's the problem.

2.12

Nevertheless, in order to study Elif has gone to great lengths, or cover it with wig tried. She has finally made her way to the Turkish part of Cyprus. There the headscarf is not only forbidden while studying, it is also outlawed.

2.29

The dispute about the headscarf in universities splits the nation and has resulted in a power struggle between the emerging Islamic element and the old secular elite.

2.43

Elif shows us what will happen when she tries to enter the university campus with her headscarf on...

2.52

Discussions with the security people.

3.05

She is not allowed in and sent away.

3.12

At the university in Turkish Cyprus studying with a headscarf was like running a gauntlet.
Did Elif ever think of taking off her headscarf?

3.24

OT Elif Günes, Psychologin (Susanne)

Of course I thought I was faced with the university and went to loosen the knot, I had already pulled out the needle - but I could not do it, I just could not. It is part of myself, my culture, my tradition, my religion. I want to be accepted and study how I am.

3.44

Would it not be better with the headscarf off? Is the cloth uncomfortable and unpleasant in the summer heat?

3.52

No, not for me. I am used to it. I was never without a headscarf on the street. I know the comparison.

4.00

Not all women want the same as Elif at the university.

4.06

OT Ezgi Tuncer, Student (Judith)

I am against the headscarf in universities, it is against our secular constitution, against the separation of religion and state - it has nothing to do with religious freedom, it is a political symbol.

4.19

The controversy over this symbol almost led to a coup.
We film traditional Turkish women. The number of women wearing headscarves decreases in front of the university gates…

4.31

... It is the only way for them to work.

4.37

This student is outraged at the suggestion of an interview without a headscarf and does not accept.

4.48

We visited Ezra Cifci. She was not prepared to abandon the headscarf in order to study. She says that would be a betrayal of her faith and ideals. Her dream of studying and a career is gone.

5.07

She has married Mohammed.

5.14

OT Esra Cifci Dindar, prevented student (Susanne)

As the headscarf ban was lifted in February, I immediately considered how I could study with a child and employ a baby-sitter. But now the law has been reinstated. By studying I could get a good job, I could earn more - but I am prevented only because of the way I dress.

5.43

Behind the peace of Istanbul's mosques the power struggle of the last few days escalates.

5.56

The dispute about the headscarf in universities is seen as a pretext.
In Turkey things are different: the Islamic ruling party has almost half the population behind them. It stands for social reforms and economic growth, the country has opened relations with the EU.

6.15

The judiciary and the military, however, want to close off Turkey. They are the guardians of the heritage of state founder, Kemal Ataturk. The old guard fear the loss of their power.
They want to outlaw the Islamic party in government because of their headscarf ban, as has happened to four of the party’s predecessors. In their ranks a coup was apparently planned: dozens are now in prison.

6.42

Suheyl Batum teaches constitutional law, he is a Kemalist - and very worried. The arrest of senior military figures is seen as an Islamists attack on secularism. AKP, the Islamic ruling party, is seen as dangerous.

6.57
OT Suheyl Batum, Prof. of constitutional law, Kemalist (Martin)

The AKP betray democracy and strive to denounce Atatürk step by step. An Islamization is what they are doing now. And what concerns me the most about this conspiracy is that, although two or three people may have planned a takeover, the government was highly unpleasant in arresting people and produced an atmosphere of fear. It's unbelievable ... it's unbelievable.

7.17
OT Karakuzulu Saliha, Ataturk Association (Judith)

If a woman’s hair is wrapped like package, then her brain is also packed. The AKP argued for democratic freedom. But they use the term ‘democracy’ as a pretext for Islamisation.

7.32

It is the opposite for prominent players on the Islamic side.
As one of the first women elected to Parliament, Merve Kavakci has not taken up its mandate - again because of the headscarf. She emigrated to the United States with her daughters. She is considered to be a hardliner – but modern and emancipated at the same time.

7.57

They cannot argue that the release of the headscarf could be the beginning of a creeping Islamization.

8.12
OT Merve Kavakci, former ACP politician (Susanne)

Even if there is a risk ... even if there is a risk, that does not justify people being forced against their will to a way of life force that is fascist ... actually very fascist.

8.27

Points of view on the Bosporus could hardly be more extreme. The Kemalists are accused of trying to secure an authoritarian state by means of a coup. The ruling AKP are alleged to have pursued a policy of creeping Islamisation.

8.35

Meanwhile, the debate is about much more than the question of whether the headscarf means policy or tradition, personal freedom or restriction, oppression or protest. Now it is about Turkish democracy.

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