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Minorities in Turkey

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File:Ethnic Groups Turkey123.png
Ethnic map of Turkey.

Minorities in Turkey form a substantial part of the country's population. 25-30% of the populace belong to an ethnic minority.[1] While the Republic of Turkey, following the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, recognizes Armenians, Greeks and Jews as ethnic minorities, this legal status is not granted the Kurds, which constitute the largest minority by a wide margin (18%), nor all the other minorities in the country.

Ethnic minorities

Armenians

Main article: Armenians in Turkey
Further information: Armenian Genocide

Armenians in Turkey have an estimated population of 40,000 to 70,000 (the Hamshenis are not included).[2][3] Most are concentrated around Istanbul. The Armenians support their own newspapers and schools. The majority belong to the Armenian Apostolic faith, with much smaller numbers of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Evangelicals.

Assyrians

Main article: Assyrians in Turkey
Further information: Assyrian Genocide

Assyrians were once a large ethnic minority in the Ottoman Empire, but following the early 20th century Syriac Genocide, many were murdered or emigrated. Now, they live in small numbers in eastern Turkey and Istanbul.

Azerbaijanis

Main article: Azerbaijanis in Turkey

It is hard to determine how many ethnic Azeris currently reside in Turkey because ethnicity is a rather fluid concept in this country.[4] According to some sources, there are about 800,000 Twelvers, however this figure may differ substantially from the real one.[5] Up to 300,000 of Azeris who reside in Turkey are citizens of Azerbaijan.[6] In the Eastern Anatolia Region, Azeris are sometimes referred to as acem (see Ajam) or tat.[7] They currently are the largest ethnic group in the city of Iğdır[8] and second largest ethnic group in Kars.[9]

Bulgarians

Main article: Bulgarians in Turkey

People identifying as Bulgarian include a large number from the Pomak and other Slavophonic Muslim communities (whose ancestors were Bulgarian), and a very small number of Orthodox of ethnic Bulgarian origin. Pomaks are also muslim and speak a Bulgarian dialect.[10][11][12][13][14] According to Ethnologue at present 300,000 Pomaks in European Turkey speak Bulgarian as mother tongue.[15] It is very hard to estimate the number of Pomaks along with the Turkified Pomaks who live in Turkey, as they have blended into the Turkish society and have been often linguistically and culturally dissimilated.[16] According to Milliyet and Turkish Daily News reports, the number of the Pomaks along with the Turkified Pomaks in the country is about 600,000.[17][16] According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bulgarian Orthodox Christian community in Turkey stands at 500 members.[18]

Circassians

Main article: Circassians in Turkey

Circassians are with 2 millions (2,7% of the Turkish population) one of the largest ethnic minority in Turkey. Among the Circassians in Turkey are also the closely related ethnic groups Abazins (10,000[19]) and Abkhazians (39,000[20]) counted. The Circassians are a Caucasian immigrant people, the vast majority of them have been assimilated and only a small part still dominates one of the Circassian languages. The most Circassian predominantly speak the East Circassian (550,000 speakers) and after it West Circassian (275,000 speakers). The Circassians in Turkey are almost exclusively Sunni Muslims of Hanafi madh'hab.

Georgians

Main article: Chveneburi

Georgians are with 1 millions one of the most important minority in Turkey. Georgians are related to Lazes. The Georgians in Turkey are mostly Sunni Muslims of Hanafi madh'hab. "Chveneburi" are name of immigrant Georgians but autochthonous Muslim Georgians too use this term. Muslim Georgians form the majority in parts of Artvin Province east of the Çoruh River. Immigrant Muslim groups of Georgian origins, found scattered in Turkey are known as Chveneburi. And the smallest Georgian group are Catholics, they lives in Istanbul.

Greeks

Main article: Greeks in Turkey
Further information: Greek genocide

The Greeks constitute a population of Greek and Greek-speaking Eastern Orthodox Christians who mostly live in Istanbul, including its district Princes' Islands, as well as on the two islands of the western entrance to the Dardanelles: Imbros and Tenedos (Template:Lang-tr and Bozcaada).

They are the remnants of the estimated 200,000 Greeks who were permitted under the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne to remain in Turkey following the 1923 population exchange, which involved the forcible resettlement of approximately 1.5 million Greeks from Anatolia and East Thrace and of half a million Turks from all of Greece except for Western Thrace. After years of persecution (e.g. the Varlık Vergisi and the Istanbul Pogrom), emigration of ethnic Greeks from the Istanbul region greatly accelerated, reducing the 119.822 [21]-strong Greek minority before the attack to about 7,000 by 1978.[22] The 2008 figures released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry places the current number of Turkish citizens of Greek descent at the 3,000–4,000 mark.[23] However according to the Human Rights Watch the Greek population in Turkey is estimated at 2,500 in 2006. The Greek population in Turkey is collapsing as the community is now far too small to sustain itself demographically, due to emigration, much higher death rates than birth rates and continuing discrimination.[24]

Since 1924, the status of the Greek minority in Turkey has been ambiguous. Beginning in the 1930s, the government instituted repressive policies forcing many Greeks to emigrate. Examples are the labour battalions drafted among non-Muslims during World War I as well as the Fortune Tax (Varlık Vergisi) levied mostly on non-Muslims during the same period. These resulted in financial ruination and death for many Greeks. The exodus was given greater impetus with the Istanbul Pogrom of September 1955 which led to thousands of Greeks fleeing the city, eventually reducing the Greek population to about 7,000 by 1978 and to about 2,500 by 2006.

Kurds

Main article: Kurds in Turkey
Further information: Human rights of Kurdish people in Turkey

Ethnic Kurds are the largest minority in Turkey, composing around 18% of the total populace or ca. 14 million people as of 2008.[1] Unlike the Turks, the Kurds speak an Indo-European language. There are Kurds living all over Turkey, but most live to the east and southeast of the country, from where they originate.

In the 1930s, Turkish government policy aimed to forcibly assimilate and Turkify local Kurds. Today's presence of Kurds is a testimony that many have resisted these measures. Since 1984, Kurdish resistance movements included both peaceful political activities for basic civil rights for Kurds within Turkey, and violent armed rebellion for a separate Kurdish state.[25]

Lazes

Main article: Laz people

Most Lazs today live in Turkey but the Laz minority group has no official status in Turkey. Their number today is estimated to be around 250.000[26][27][28]
500.000[29][30] Lazes are Sunni Muslims. Only a minority are bilingual in Turkish and their native Laz language which belongs to the South Caucasian group. The number of the Laz speakers is decreasing, and is now limited chiefly to the Rize and Artvin areas. The historical term Lazistan — formerly referring to a narrow tract of land along the Black Sea inhabited by the Laz as well as by several other ethnic groups — has been banned from official use and replaced with Doğu Karadeniz (which also includes Trabzon). During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, the Muslim population of Russia near the war zones was subjected to ethnic cleansing; many Lazes living in Batum fled to the Ottoman Empire, settling along the southern Black Sea coast to the east of Samsun.

Ossetians

Main article: Ossetians in Turkey

Ossetians emigrated from North Ossetia since the second half of the 19th century, end of Caucasian War. Today, the majority of them live in Ankara and Istanbul. There are 24 Ossetian villages in central and eastern Anatolia. The Ossetians in Turkey are divided into three major groups, depending on their history of immigration and ensuing events: those living in Kars (Sarıkamış) and Erzurum, those in Sivas, Tokat and Yozgat and those in Muş and Bitlis.[31]

Roma

Main article: Roma in Turkey

The Roma are an ethnic minority of Turkey. Sulukule is the oldest Roma settlement in Europe. The descendants of the Ottoman Roma today are known as Xoraxane Roma and are of the Islamic faith.[32]

Religious minorities

Main article: Religion in Turkey
Further information: Freedom of religion in Turkey

Christians

Main article: Christianity in Turkey
Further information: Persecution of Christians in Turkey

Christianity has a long history in Anatolia which, nowadays part of the Republic of Turkey's territory, was the birth place of numerous Christian Apostles and Saints, such as Apostle Paul of Tarsus, Timothy, St. Nicholas of Myra, St. Polycarp of Smyrna and many others. Two out of the five centers (Patriarchates) of the ancient Pentarchy were located in present-day Turkey: Constantinople (Istanbul) and Antioch (Antakya). All of the first seven Ecumenical Councils which are recognized by both the Western and Eastern churches were held in present-day Turkey. Of these, the Nicene Creed, declared with the First Council of Nicaea (İznik) in 325, is of utmost importance and has provided the essential definitions of present-day Christianity.

Today the Christian population of Turkey includes an estimated 45,000 Armenian Orthodox[2], 17,000 Syriac Orthodox, 8,000 Chaldean Catholic, 3,000-4,000 Greek Orthodox[3], and smaller numbers of Bulgarians, Georgians, and Protestants.

Orthodox Christians

Aya Triada Greek Orthodox church in Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Main article: Orthodox Christianity in Turkey

Orthodox Christianity forms a tiny minority in Turkey, comprising far less than one tenth of one percent of the entire population. The provinces of Istanbul and Hatay, which includes Antakya, are the main centres of Turkish Christianity, with comparatively dense Christian populations, though they are very small minorities. The main variant of Christianity present in Turkey is the Eastern Orthodox branch, focused mainly in the Greek Orthodox Church, however due to their slightly larger numbers the Syriac Orthodox Church is the most prominent Orthodox Church in the country.

Protestants

Main article: Protestantism in Turkey

Protestants comprise far less than one tenth of one percent of the population of Turkey.[33] The constitution of Turkey recognizes freedom of religion for individuals. The Armenian Protestants own three Istanbul Churches from the 19th century.[34] On 4th of November 2006, a Protestant place of worship was attacked with six Molotov cocktails.[35] Turkish media have criticized Christian missionary activity intensely.[36] There is an Alliance of Protestant Churches in Turkey.[37]

Roman Catholics

Main article: Roman Catholicism in Turkey

The Roman Catholic Church in Turkey is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are around 35,000 Catholics,[38] constituting 0.05% of the population. The faithful follow the Latin, Byzantine, Armenian and Chaldean Rite. Most Latin Rite Catholics are Levantines of mainly Italian or French background, although a few are ethnic Turks (who are usually converts via marriage to Levantines or other non-Turkish Catholics). Byzantine, Armenian, and Chaldean rite Catholics are generally members of the Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian minority groups respectively. Turkey's Catholics are concentrated in Istanbul.

The Catholic community was shocked when Father Andrea Santoro, an Italian missionary working in Turkey for 10 years, was shot twice at his church near the Black Sea.[39] He had written a letter to the Pope asking him to visit Turkey.[40] Pope Benedict XVI visited Turkey in November 2006.[41] Relations had been rocky since Pope Benedict XVI had stated his opposition to Turkey joining the European Union.[42] The Council of Catholic Bishops met with the Turkish prime minister in 2004 to discuss restrictions and difficulties such as property issues.[43] More recently, Bishop Luigi Padovese, on June 6, 2010, the Vicar Apostolic of Turkey, was killed.

Jews

Main article: Jews in Turkey
Further information: Antisemitism in Turkey

There have been Jewish communities in Asia Minor since at least the 5th century BC and many Spanish and Portuguese Jews expelled from Spain were welcomed to the Ottoman Empire (including regions part of modern Turkey) in the late 15th century. Despite emigration during the 20th century, modern day Turkey continues to have a small Jewish population.

Muslims

Alawites

Main article: Alawites in Turkey

The exact number of Alawites in Turkey is unknown, but there were 185 000 Alawites in 1970.[44] As Muslims, they are not recorded separately from Sunnis in ID registration. In the 1965 census (the last Turkish census where informants were asked their mother tongue), 180,000 people in the three provinces declared their mother tongue as Arabic. However, Arabic-speaking Sunni and Christian people are also included in this figure.

Alawites traditionally speak the same dialect of Levantine Arabic with Syrian Alawites. Arabic is best preserved in rural communities and Samandağ. Younger people in Çukurova cities and (to a lesser extent) in İskenderun tend to speak Turkish. Turkish spoken by Alawites is distinguished by Alawites and non-Alawites alike with its particular accents and vocabulary. Knowledge of Arabic alphabet is confined to religious leaders and men who had worked or studied in Arab countries.

References

  1. ^ a b CIA World Factbook: Turkey
  2. ^ Turay, Anna. "Tarihte Ermeniler". Bolsohays: Istanbul Armenians. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Hür, Ayşe (2008-08-31). "Türk Ermenisiz, Ermeni Türksüz olmaz!". Taraf (in Turkish). Retrieved 2008-09-02. Sonunda nüfuslarını 70 bine indirmeyi başardık.
  4. ^ Human Rights Watch 1999 Report on Turkey
  5. ^ Turkey: Religions & Peoples - Encyclopædia of the Orient
  6. ^ Life of Azerbaijanis in Turkey. An interview with Sayyad Aran, Consule General of the Azerbaijan Republic to Istanbul. Azerbaijan Today
  7. ^ Template:Tr icon Qarslı bir azərbaycanlının ürək sözləri. Erol Özaydın
  8. ^ Template:Tr icon Iğdır Sevdası, Mücahit Özden Hun
  9. ^ Template:Tr icon KARS: AKP'nin kozu tarım desteği. Milliyet. 23 June 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2008
  10. ^ The Balkans, Minorities and States in Conflict (1993), Minority Rights Publication, by Hugh Poulton, p. 111.
  11. ^ Richard V. Weekes; Muslim peoples: a world ethnographic survey, Volume 1; 1984; p.612
  12. ^ Raju G. C. Thomas; Yugoslavia unraveled: sovereignty, self-determination, intervention; 2003, p.105
  13. ^ R. J. Crampton, Bulgaria, 2007, p.8
  14. ^ Janusz Bugajski, Ethnic politics in Eastern Europe: a guide to nationality policies, organizations, and parties; 1995, p.237
  15. ^ Gordon, Raymond G., Jr., ed. (2005). "Languages of Turkey (Europe)". Ethnologue: Languages of the World (Fifteenth edition ed.). Dallas, Texas: SIL International. ISBN 978-1-55671-159-6. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  16. ^ a b "Trial sheds light on shades of Turkey". Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review. 2008-06-10. Archived from the original on 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-03-23. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Milliyet - Turkified Pomaks in Turkey [[:Template:Tr icon]]". www.milliyet.com.tr. Retrieved 2011-02-08. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  18. ^ "Българската общност в Република Турция "
  19. ^ Ethnologue: Abasinen
  20. ^ Ethnologue: Abchasen
  21. ^ http://www.demography-lab.prd.uth.gr/DDAoG/article/cont/ergasies/tsilenis.htm
  22. ^ Kilic, Ecevit (2008-09-07). "Sermaye nasıl el değiştirdi?". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2008-12-25. 6-7 Eylül olaylarından önce İstanbul'da 135 bin Rum yaşıyordu. Sonrasında bu sayı 70 bine düştü. 1978'e gelindiğinde bu rakam 7 bindi.
  23. ^ "Foreign Ministry: 89,000 minorities live in Turkey". Today's Zaman. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  24. ^ According to the Human Rights Watch the Greek population in Turkey is estimated at 2,500 in 2006. "From “Denying Human Rights and Ethnic Identity” series of Human Rights Watch"
  25. ^ "Kurdistan-Turkey". GlobalSecurity.org. 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  26. ^ http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=DJ_hppqYIxQC&pg=PA90&dq=laz+language&hl=tr&ei=HNBSTvHDI6HP4QSrodHfAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=laz%20language&f=false
  27. ^ bianet.org
  28. ^ http://www.lightningturkish.com/society/ethnic-groups/
  29. ^ ecoi.net
  30. ^ http://www.usefoundation.org/view/865
  31. ^ [1]
  32. ^ Elena Marushiakova, Veselin Popov (2001) "Gypsies in the Ottoman Empire", ISBN 1902806026University of Hertfordshire Press
    • Original: Елена Марушиакова, Веселин Попов (2000) "Циганите в Османската империя". Литавра, София (Litavra Publishers, Sofia).Template:Bg icon
  33. ^ "German Site on Christians in Turkey".
  34. ^ "German Site on Christians in Turkey".
  35. ^ "Christian Persecution Info".
  36. ^ "Christianity Today".
  37. ^ "World Evangelical Alliance".
  38. ^ Roman Catholics by country Fact-Archive.com
  39. ^ "Priest's killing shocks Christians in Turkey". Catholic World News. February 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  40. ^ "Priest Slain in Turkey Had Sought Pope Visit". Reuters. February 9, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  41. ^ "Confirmed: Pope to visit Turkey in November". Catholic World News. February 9, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  42. ^ Donovan, Jeffrey (April 20, 2005). "World: New Pope Seen As Maintaining Roman Catholic Doctrinal Continuity". Radio Free Europe. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  43. ^ "Turkey". International Religious Freedom Report 2004. September 15, 2004. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  44. ^ State and rural society in medieval Islam: sultans, muqtaʻs, and fallahun. Leiden: E.J. Brill. 1997. p. 162. ISBN 90-04-10649-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

See also

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