On May 2, 1999, I was just a 9-year-old, timid girl watching my heroic mother, Merve Kavakçı, walk into Parliament, a hero in my eyes and in the hearts of many across Turkey. She was persecuted, kicked out and had her citizenship revoked for being "a threat to the secular state." On that day I thought: "My mom did something so great she will always be a symbol of Muslim women who wear headscarves."
The navy headscarf with red and white streaks represented so much more than just a piece of cloth. That day, it became the banner for Muslim women fighting against the headscarf ban, representing millions of people of faith who wanted to live freely. My mother's actions were more than silent, yet compelling, heroism. She also made a big sacrifice.
After dreadfully being thrown out of Parliament, my sister, mother and I embarked on a new life in the United States. In the end, the move changed nothing because the mission was the same. We were more determined than ever to continue practicing our faith with vigor and perseverance. Our purpose was and is to always serve the "ummah," community, and all of humanity.
Whether in Ankara or Dallas, the path of Islam is the same. We grew up aware of our important duty to serve the global community and to be just, forgiving, kind and generous people. Watching my mother in Parliament demonstrating a calm solace that conveyed the ultimate message on that historic day. She embodied all the values she instilled in us to become strong believers. I thought to myself: "That is my mama, and she is a 'muminah,' a true believer."
She stood proudly against the attacks that came from every direction, including the president and prime minster along with news reporters who tried to take away her dignity. Yet, through it all, she stood tall, unbound and unbroken.
Alongside her strong faith in God, mom has always been a hardworking student. As a software engineer graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), she had returned to Turkey in the early 90s to serve her country. She was barred from any job position because she wore a headscarf. That was when she realized if women with headscarves wanted to pursue careers without discrimination, political activism was in order. She took on that role as a young 25-year-old ambitious woman. Under Erbakan's Welfare Party, she became the head of the Women's Foreign Affairs Department and traveled across the Muslim world and the West, not only as a political figure, but also as an activist, and a mother with two small kids.
After the Welfare Party's closure and the launch of the Virtue Party, her mission of freedom took a turn. While being an open advocate of Islamic democracy and human rights in her previous position at the Welfare Party, her new job was going to be onerous. Being delegated as the first woman with a headscarf to take a seat in Parliament exemplified women's long, historical struggle to gain equality throughout the history of modern Turkish politics.
That day was historic and emblematic in so many ways. Above all, as she gracefully walked into Parliament and took her seat, she officially became the ambassador for the fight against discrimination of women in headscarves.
History has proven that achieving human rights and the pursuit of civil rights liberties has never been an easy endeavor. The women of the Welfare and Virtue Party worked relentlessly to achieve the success on May 2, 1999. It was the collected effort and leadership of female Muslim politicians and activists who helped pave the freedom path, not only for women with headscarves, but for marginalized women across Turkey. These women volunteers were not rewarded, nor did they receive any financial support. These women are the "anonymous heroes" that worked in the background for years, devoting their lives to the mission of freedom.
Among the well-known women in the forefront of the Muslim women's rights movement, Şule Yüksel Şenler, an intellectual and activist, dedicated her life to achieving equality for women who wear headscarves. Another such woman, dear to my heart, is my grandmother, Gülhan Kavakçı, a St. George Austrian High School and Istanbul University graduate, who became one of the first women with a headscarf to teach German at Istanbul Imam Hatip School and Erzurum Atatürk University back in the 70s and 80s. Of course these women are not the only examples. There are many other female heroes throughout world history who have said "stop" to discrimination or violence through acts that may have seemed small but left big marks on history. For instance, Rosa Parks, who refused to sit at the back of the bus and give up her seat to a white man. Her stance became the symbol of action and resistance in the civil rights movement in the U.S.
Women like these, whose stories have been heard and those whose great actions have been buried in the silence of history, in reality, all have something in common: The will and drive to never give up on what is rightfully ours. It is the inalienable right to pursue a life free of discrimination or prejudice. It takes courage to stand against what is wrong when nobody is willing to do so.
Today, my mother's new appointment as the ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is symbolic in this regard. The walls of bigotry have finally fallen, and a new era in Turkish diplomacy has moved into their place. Mom's expertise gained from UTD, Harvard, Howard University and George Washington University as an advocate of women's rights and as an international relations professor is emblematic of diversity, women's leadership and empowerment, all the while breaking down stereotypes.
Fast forward 18 years, our country has undergone an unprecedented democratic transformation. My mother did come back after having to live away from her country for years. Just as it is in all super hero stories, she made it. She was wounded, suffered and hurt, but that did not stop her. On the contrary, she is more determined and more adamant about her goals than ever before. She and the millions of women, men and children who suffered like her healed only to make a greater comeback and to put up a better fight.
We are certain this is the guidance of God.
Meanwhile, we must keep in mind that this journey is neither the beginning nor the end of the pursuit to establish peace and justice in the region and around the world. The spiritual path from Adam and Eve to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the blessed path that we follow to perfect the human character. That is why, in a time of unyielding and reckless political behavior, we now need politicians and diplomats nationally and internationally who are prophetic in manners, speech and action.
It is with this mission of faith that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed many diplomats to ambassador positions across strategic regions. That mission is to carry the message of peace and justice, while respecting and honoring different cultures, traditions and beliefs. Islam has never been a religion of compulsion but has always been the source of tranquility, guidance and understanding.
With ever-growing threats, including terrorism, humanitarian crisis, cybersecurity, coups and sanctions, the world is becoming more dangerous and unstable. Tensions continue to mount, even in our own region. The millions of refugees in Turkey and other neighboring countries have become a marker of one of the largest humanitarian crises since World War II. This does not mean we can sit idly by and watch our region erode into chaos and turmoil.
We have work to do at home and abroad to boost bilateral relations in trade, as well as in diplomatic exchanges. Bilateral and multilateral talks require positive dialogue to put forward solutions for the growing sectarian conflicts, droughts, poverty, dictators and war criminals. For a stronger role in the region, Turkey's strength at home must not waver, especially in the fight against terror inside and outside the country.
While speaking to hundreds of university chancellors from across the Muslim world Wednesday, President Erdoğan spoke to the hearts of many Muslim academics by quoting the classic saying, "The kindling of truth surfaces when ideas collide with one another."
This is a critical message that goes to the heart of the matter. Freedom of speech and free expression in the public sphere is a principle we strongly standby and promote in order to create healthy discourse among different parties. Through respectful speech and well-mannered conduct, intellectuals, journalists and politicians can influence societies' decisions on a range of issues. In the end, this is the only way citizens can be guided to any truth on a particular issue.
We must also bear in mind that as long as freedom of expression is not abused in a way that will endanger human lives, everyone is free to express themselves as they wish.
Today, changes are occurring across Turkey, especially with regard to more female leadership in the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and the presidency.
Yet, Turkey continues to field allegations that freedom is being curbed at the expense of excessive political dominance. This argument could not be further from the truth. We have to be mindful that Turkey is engaged in an immense war on terror. In any sovereign state across the world, including Turkey, no state will ever grant any individual or organization the freedom of speech to express support for a terror network. Speech in support of terror cannot and will not be condoned in democracies.
Today, the roles for new diplomats are more difficult than their predecessors for two reasons. First, Turkish leadership is preparing to usher the country into a new era of regional leadership, a tremendous and strenuous task. Second, the bullying of western international media, which has an ongoing campaign aimed at marring Turkey and Erdoğan's image, needs to be tackled firmly and effectively.
These are the two major tasks that lay on the shoulders of the Turkish state's new diplomatic team. Against the unyielding exclusion and isolation, stronger representatives are ready to vocalize the government's vision and interests in the region and to advocate for a more forceful presence on the world stage. This movement will take will power and prayer, as the Turkish people have already fought for independence during the first years of the modern state and after July 15 failed coup attempt.
In this political framework, some aspects have changed, while others have remained the same. While challenges can sometimes take on different guises, the mission remains the same.
Currently, there is an empowered nation, an impressive government and team of experts who harbor a concerted effort to not let Turkey down.
Among those impressive diplomats ready to serve the Turkey abroad is the woman who is my hero, role model and dear friend.
Taking on the state back in 1999 was no easy task for my mother. However, the challenges today are far greater. In a transitional world with shifting balances of power and regional dynamics, we are witnessing a new era in diplomacy. More than ever we need the vivacity and inspiration to serve all those who are ostracized, marginalized and left voiceless.
Merve Kavakçı being one of the first Turkish ambassadors to wear a headscarf represents the struggle to be and epitomizes all the values related to human rights and the principles of Islam." Yes, there are grueling tasks waiting for her, but this does not hinder her from protecting and representing her nation.
Her unwavering faith will drive her to realize greater tasks in the name of God, in the name of the Turkish people and in the name of humanity.
Godspeed, Mom!
