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Turkey: Pitting Europe against itself and the United States
By Amira Ibrahimovic (07/20/05)
Turkey aspires to join the European Union. The United States fully supports this aspiration, as do extreme leftist and rightest governments in Europe. However, European centrists are unsure about admitting one of the world's largest and most populous Muslim countries into the Union.
While there is little doubt that admitting Turkey will make strategic and economic sense (as well as aid the war on terror), Europe is split as to whether Turkey can be included within its sphere in a historical and cultural sense.
Among the educated classes of Europe, this problem is created because Turkey, itself, is split into two different worlds. Western Turkey is, geographically, part of the continent of Europe. Culturally and racially - most Turks in Western Turkey have more in common with Balkan people, especially Slavs, than with Persians or Arabs. The city of Istanbul is sometimes called the Capital of Europe, and it remains today the home of Eastern Orthodoxy's most im! portant religious leader, and Hanafi Muslims' most important mosques. The city is also commonly called a Slavic Rome, or a Slavic Mecca.
Scenes of celebration in Western Turkey:
Eastern Turkey, however, is - racially and culturally - far more similar to Iran and Iraq, with large populations of Kurds, Persians, and Arabs. The dress is more traditional, the lifestyle more easy-going and care-free. Many more traditional Muslims in this region can barely stomach being a part of Turkey, much less the European Union. Over the last week, terrorist bombings have taken place in several tourist cities in the Western half of the country.
The government of the United States has realized, wisely, that incorporating tens of millions of tolerant, 'European' Muslims into the European Union is the best choice, rather than forcing them to build economic alliances with the Middle East.
Europe, however, is slower. Due to immigration and assimilation problems with Turkish immigrants (a vast majority of whom are actually Kurds from Eastern T! urkey), Western Europeans are hesitant - and fear a mass migration of Turks into Europe.
This, however, was also a major concern before admitting countries from the former Soviet Bloc, like Poland. Poles, however, didn't charge the German border in search of jobs and, instead, used to opportunities offered by the European Union to better their own country, one that is quite literally now the envy of East Europe.
Oddly enough, European Christians are among the most vocal supporters of Turkey's European Union membership, as are right-wing leaders like Italy's Berlusconi. Even Greece, historically Turkey's arch-rival, has voiced it's support.
It's biggest supporters are Europe's 'Muslim' countries - Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. Citizens of both countries feel a little nervous about joining a Union that does not have a voice to represent the dreams and concerns of Muslims. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania both will never carry much political weight in the European! sphere, and so Muslims in both countries imagine Turkey will be a medium-strength safe guard.
However, many Muslims in Western Europe, immigrants from countries that frown upon Turkey's secular form of Islam, are against the country's membership.
In the end, it doesn't really matter how much controversy is created; Turkey is a very important part of Europe, historically speaking. There is barely an event in European history that does not both positively and negatively involve Turkey. Whether it is allowed to join the European Union or not - a strategic, economic, and cultural bond will always link Turkey with the Balkans, and through the Balkans, to Europe.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Amira Ibrahimovic
Amira Ibrahimovic was born in Pocitelj, a small Muslim village in the vineyard-lined valleys of Bosnia-Herzegovina. She studied political science and theology at the University of Mostar, where she now lives with her husband and two daughters.
Ed Note: Amira has agreed to offer all of us a different perspective of Europe and the USA as seen from there.
Send Feedback To Amira Ibrahimovic
Site: http://aviewfromeurope.ws
UPSSA
United Progressive Socialist States of America
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