based Al-Watan has welcomed awarding Turkish premier Erdogan the prestigious King Faisal international prize and said the prize was culmination of his continuous efforts in the previous years in which he proved the moderation of the Muslims and showed that Islam is capable of adapting itself to the various circumstances and environments including the secular regime which has been prevailing in Turkey since the beginning g of the last century. Erdogan and his companions at the justice and development party were capable of adapting themselves to the idea of Turkey"s secularization but without forgetting their religious belonging which links them with their brothers in all Arab and Muslim world. The daily pointed out to the withdrawal of Erdogan from the summit of Davos in protest to the speech delivered by Israeli President Shimon Peres and his protests against the Israeli massacres in Gaza, and that behavior has whitened the face of Erdogan and increased his popularity at the Arab and Muslim arenas. Realizing the situation in Gaza, Erdogan has recently visited a number of middle east countries to exchange views with their leaders in this respect in manner that aroused the anger of Israel, the daily said. The daily believes that Erdogan has benefited from the previous Islamic experience led by Nejmeddin Erbakan, which was not culminated in success despite the sincerity of Erbakan. Taking into account the unsuccessful experience of Erbakan, Erdogan has gone on the path of the proper direction avoiding collision with others. Realizing the complications pertaining to Turkey"s admission to the European Union, Turkey has resorted to the internal development and to establishing future partnerships with the countries of the region and the Muslim world. Erdogan has made it clear that Turkey will follow the footsteps of Kamal Attaturk and try to create a modern and contemporary society within the framework of the Islamic values which are beloved to 99 percent of the Turks, the daily added.
