Presidents Corner
Mission
Constitution (pdf)
Membership
Executive Committee
Secularism
Secularism is defined, described, interpreted and restated by the association and its members as follows.
1. Secularity does not only mean the separation of religious and state affairs, but also the respect for freedom of moral sense, worship and religion for every individual.
2. Religion is a moral value and religious practice is a private matter between the person and the divine being in which he/she believes.
3. Religion shall never be used in an official capacity to enforce one group's religious opinions or beliefs on another even though the group in demand is in majority.
4. No religious or moral values can neither be enforced by laws, regulations, principles nor mentioned in any official written or vocal declarations of the organization.
5. In a society where religious values are imposed by state, the true meaning of religion diminishes and forced thought or belief can not be considered as true faith. Human moral values can not thrive under such conditions. Political systems based on religious laws are many times oppressive and against human rights.
Kemalism
Kemalism describes the principles advanced by the founding father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and is defined, described, interpreted and restated by the association and its members as follows.
1. Secularism (is as defined in Article XV Section A).
2. Real love of peace and mankind. The word "real" is used here in the context that as opposed to some radical religious beliefs, which seem to promote hate instead of love of mankind. This association believes in real love of mankind regardless of religious background and beliefs as mentioned in the Constitution of TASK Article II Section B Part 3. In 1933, Mustafa Kemal stated that "I look to the world with an open heart full of pure feelings and friendship".
3. "Peace in the nation, peace in the world." "Mankind is a single body and each nation a part of that body. We must never say 'What does it matter to me if some part of the world is ailing?' If there is such an illness, we must concern ourselves with it as though we were having that illness." Kemalist principles clearly underline that, peace is the most effective way for nations to attain prosperity and happiness.
4. Being scientific and rational. "The truest guide in life is science."
5. Reformism. A broad range of swift and sweeping reforms such as Turkish Women's right to vote and be elected to parliament in early 1930's, are enduring monuments to Mustafa Kemal. The political social, legal, economic and cultural reforms during his 15 years of presidency are honored worldwide. The Kemalist reforms admired by many emerging nations are virtually unparalleled in any country. On the basis of these monumental achievements great statesmen of the world said the following about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
a. Greek statesmen Venizelos "In the life of a nation, it is very seldom that changes to such a radical degree were carried out in such a short period of time... These extraordinary activities earned him his fame as a great man in the full sense of the word."
b. Winston Churchill "A great hero."
c. Dwight D. Eisenhower "A source of inspiration to independence-seekers around the world."
d. Charles De Gaulle "He was the greatest achiever among all the world leaders, because he modernized his nation."
e. David Ben Gurion "I know of no greater statesmen."
f. Jahwaharlal Nehru "One of the creators of the modern age."
g. John F. Kennedy "One of the great figures of our century."
6. Kemalism emphasizes a modern country rich in its own national culture, open to the heritage of world civilization and at home in the endowments of the modern technological age. Kemalist reforms are in the spirit of the following principles: awareness of the national historical past, love of the country and its people, the concept of a national language, love of independence and liberty, the complete unconditional sovereignty of the nation, aspiration towards going beyond the level of contemporary civilizations, will to develop the national culture, the idea of trust in the Turkish people, faith in unity and interdependence, the principle of the separation of the army, educational institutions and religion from politics.