An Islamist critic of Erdo?anism

You probably have heard well by now that it is not a smart thing to be an outspoken critic of President Tayyip Erdo?an in the Turkish media. You might be prosecuted for "insulting the president," spend a few years in jail, or simply lose your job due to the pressure coming from some powerful offices in Ankara. 

But lately, a new trend has also become visible in the Turkish media: Even those who support Erdo?an could lose their job if they dare to express this support with the slightest tone of criticism, no matter how friendly or constructively they may put it. 

On this note, the story of Hakan Albayrak is an impressive case. Albayrak is longtime Islamist, in the sense of pursuing political causes that are inspired by Islam and that serve the interests of the "ummah," the global Muslim community. For decades, he has engaged in humanitarian efforts and political activism to help the oppressed Muslims of the world, from Bosnia to Palestine. He was also one of the veterans of the famous Gaza Flotilla of 2010. As you might expect, he has been a longtime supporter of Tayyip Erdo?an and his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Albrayrak never renounced that support, but over the past year he has written several articles that criticized Erdo?an - who he continues to call "Chief," as most people in that camp do. These articles appeared in "Dirili? Postas?" (Revival Post), a small Islamist paper spearheaded by Albrayrak himself. All articles were in fact supportive of Erdo?an, praising his services to Turkey and the ummah. They only included friendly and constructive criticisms. By asking from the "Chief" to not to interfere in every single issue, for example, Albayrak warned the president not to undo his own success story. Albayrak emphasized that...