Page 125 - America's Failure to Perceive the PKK

Friendship with opponents of the established order, especially reli-
gious movements, is desirable. A friendly approach to religious
ideological movements based on Iran can be adopted. These
should not be regarded as enemies, because they seek to
overthrow pro-Western regimes by following a radical line.
We must be in a state of competition and solidarity with them,
particularly as we implement our own religious policy. 49

Öcalan sought to implement this change of language within the
principle of gradual familiarization without an instantaneous and com-
plete diversion from materialist elements. He sought to implement this
through a strategy he dubbed "The Revolutionary Approach to the
Problem of Religion". Öcalan attempted to express his attitude
toward religion in various forms, and began adopting a more
moderate language in terms of Islam. Instead of his ear-

lier language which completely excluded religion,
he began concentrating on the social functions
of religion, while still preserving his dialec-
tical and materialist views.

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