Turkey: Can a Muslim Country Be Part of the European Union? Modern Middle East Ms. Eraqi

What factors have or will hinder Turkeys Acceptable into the EU? Geographically Turkey sits on two continents Geographically Turkey sits on two continents Europe & Asia Europe & Asia

An Islamic Europe? Will the European Union accept Secular Islam? Will the European Union accept Secular Islam? EU states have current immigration issues. EU states have current immigration issues. EU has had new waves of terrorism: Radical Islam. EU has had new waves of terrorism: Radical Islam. Currently there are no rules for other predominantly Islamic states: Currently there are no rules for other predominantly Islamic states: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Ataturks Vision Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ( ) Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ( ) Established modern-secular Turkish State (1923) Established modern-secular Turkish State (1923) Wanted Religion to be part of private life Wanted Religion to be part of private life Turkish Law 5816 makes it illegal to publicly insult, curse, deface, or destroy the memory or images of Ataturk. Turkish Law 5816 makes it illegal to publicly insult, curse, deface, or destroy the memory or images of Ataturk. Offenders can be punished with 1-3 years in jail. Offenders can be punished with 1-3 years in jail.

Secular Law Imposed Abolished religious law Abolished religious law Closed religious schools Closed religious schools Replaced Islamic calendar with Christian (Gregorian) Calendar Replaced Islamic calendar with Christian (Gregorian) Calendar Banned the Fez in public Banned the Fez in public Banned the head scarf (hijab) in universities Banned the head scarf (hijab) in universities

Islam in Turkey 99% of the population in considered Muslim. 99% of the population in considered Muslim. Sunni 75% / Shia 24% Sunni 75% / Shia 24% 91% of Turks today say We are religious people. 91% of Turks today say We are religious people. Imam Hatip religious schools are now popular Imam Hatip religious schools are now popular

Islamic Revival in Turkey Islamic political parties seek influence Islamic political parties seek influence Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) is considered an Islamic political party. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) is considered an Islamic political party. Former leader of the AKP Nejmettin Erbakan said Turkey is going to change its regime towards fundamentalism – the debate is whether it is going to be with blood or without. Former leader of the AKP Nejmettin Erbakan said Turkey is going to change its regime towards fundamentalism – the debate is whether it is going to be with blood or without.

European Concerns Cyprus Issue: Cyprus Issue: Greek Cyprus is a member of the EU Greek Cyprus is a member of the EU North Cyprus under Turkish rule have refused to accept UN sponsored green line division. North Cyprus under Turkish rule have refused to accept UN sponsored green line division.

Muslims in Europe 10% in France 10% in France Riots related to immigration population Riots related to immigration population Policies have alienated Muslim communities and prevented assimilation. Policies have alienated Muslim communities and prevented assimilation. 25% unemployment in this community 25% unemployment in this community Vast majority of Muslims are North African. Vast majority of Muslims are North African. Census estimates that by 2025, 50% of Europe will be Arab. Census estimates that by 2025, 50% of Europe will be Arab.

Paris Riots

German Turks Turkish Guest Worker Program: Brought thousands of Turks to Germany for Work in the 1970s. Turkish Guest Worker Program: Brought thousands of Turks to Germany for Work in the 1970s. Officially over 3 million today in Germany Officially over 3 million today in Germany Re-unification of Germany in 1990s brought many unskilled workers from the East Germany Re-unification of Germany in 1990s brought many unskilled workers from the East Germany Unemployment rates have shot up despite its strong economy. Unemployment rates have shot up despite its strong economy.

Germanys Position Neo-Nazi groups have targeted many Turkish workers. Neo-Nazi groups have targeted many Turkish workers. New German Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken a NO position on Turkish accession. New German Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken a NO position on Turkish accession. Germany suggests a privilege partner status. Germany suggests a privilege partner status. What does that mean? What does that mean?

Armenian Genocide Young Turks – A Political group in Turkey took control of Ottoman Empire in Young Turks – A Political group in Turkey took control of Ottoman Empire in Carried out deportation and genocide campaign against the 2 million Armenians that lived in Turkey. Carried out deportation and genocide campaign against the 2 million Armenians that lived in Turkey. Over 1.5 million Armenians killed. Over 1.5 million Armenians killed. Tensions still high between the two nations. Tensions still high between the two nations. Turkey denies genocide. It is not taught. Turkey denies genocide. It is not taught. Article 301 (Turkish Penal Code) Insulting Turkish History Article 301 (Turkish Penal Code) Insulting Turkish History

Kurdish Question Kurds were promised a homeland at the end of WWI. Kurds were promised a homeland at the end of WWI. Never received it. Armenia created instead. Never received it. Armenia created instead. Currently about 10 million Kurds in Eastern part of Turkey. Currently about 10 million Kurds in Eastern part of Turkey. Some have begun separatist movements to form their own country. Some have begun separatist movements to form their own country.

Kurdish Question Turkey forbids Kurdish from being spoken in schools & political settings. Turkey forbids Kurdish from being spoken in schools & political settings. Martial law is commonplace in Kurdish areas. Martial law is commonplace in Kurdish areas. Thousands have been killed or arrested in clashes with Turkish Police forces Thousands have been killed or arrested in clashes with Turkish Police forces

Why Does USA Care About Turkey? Geography: Geography: Strategic importance of the Bosporus and Dardanelles Strategic importance of the Bosporus and Dardanelles Baku-Tblisi-Cehan gas pipeline connects Casian Basin to Turkish Ports Baku-Tblisi-Cehan gas pipeline connects Casian Basin to Turkish Ports Potential Bridge to Muslim World Potential Bridge to Muslim World Huge influence to Middle East Huge influence to Middle East Member of NATO: Strategic Weapons & Missile Location Long-time U.S. Ally Receives U.S. Aid $5.6 Million (FY 2012) $5.425 Million (FY 2011) Resources: Tourism, weapons, military, shipbuilding, cars, agriculture (figs, hazelnuts, cherries, apricots) steel industry.

Benefits to Allowing Turkey in the EU? Bridge between Europe & Asia Bridge between Europe & Asia Trade Trade Laborers Laborers Military location Military location Wealth Wealth Positive image/example to Muslim world Positive image/example to Muslim world