Dreaming of Europe
One of the most prominent names in Ottoman Istanbul was a Jewish doctor named Giacomo di Gaeta, who escaped from Italy’s Renaissance intolerance, and took refuge in the empire. In the streets of Istanbul, where Greek, Armenian, Albanian, Bulgarian and Serbian languages were spoken, besides Turkish, Persian and Arabic, the attitude that defied nationalism lasted for centuries. The mutual love and respect that existed in this multinational and multicultural empire, have not been experienced in Europe yet. Neighbors celebrated Greek, Armenian, and Turkish festivals together, one after the other. Istanbul was the place of religious festivals. Furthermore, they visited each other’s churches and holy graves together to light candles and pray, as it is today. While Dante threw Prophet Mohammed into his “hell,” Mevlana called upon all mankind, saying, “Come whoever you are!” He also said, “This is not a door.of hopelessness.” When we look at an expanding Europe, we see that Europeans still have a long way to go. Continuing to see Western culture as the “superior culture,” in an elite manner, it is nonetheless incumbent upon Europeans to dream of a new Europe. Along with the different languages, religions and cultures, Islam will enter the continent legally for the first time with the help of Turkey. Turks coming from a culture, where nations and cultures blend together, can bring a new understanding to the knights of the castle and the princedoms. Is multiculturalism an ideology that the West opposes, as Huntington said? Is it not necessary to put and end to this “only supreme Western Christian culture” ideology of the West, whose traces from the Middle Ages and later periods have still not been erased? Europe, which is borderless and multicultural, resembles a dough that can be reshaped. You can make heart-shaped cookies as well as bastions. However, can the various cultures from neighboring countries brought into Western culture form a multicultural world? Or will the racist views continue, like a caricature published in the supposedly esteemed Stern magazine? Europe has to cross-examine itself. It did not do this during the Bosnia War; at least it must do so while it is expanding. If Stern can rain insults on Turks as easily as it did, then Neo-Nazis entering the parliaments in the former East German states should be no surprise. Even after 50 years, the existence of strong racist roots, the rise of neo-Nazism and the far-right indicate that Germany has not yet been able to grasp the spirit within the EU. Please, dream of a new Europe! If Europeans, through cross-examination, do not come to face with their identities and the new multicultural situation in the expansion process, then this will be left to the fascists and neo-Nazis. Europeans and Germans, who will be living with Muslim neighbors, should start opening up their inner senses for discussion right now. And the Turks have to understand that the European identity is not only about the economy. The common denominator is humanism and to share human values. The debate on whether or not Turkey is a model is on a naive track. Turkey has become a model as much as it could. It has established a lifestyle envied by Middle Eastern and Arab countries. It is not an 80-year model, but an-800-year model. Belittling this does not earn us anything. Does it earn the West anything? For the “alternative” is Turkey with a working model of Muslim identity. The prejudiced view of Westerners is normal. Anyway, childish reasons such as Arabs should not be offended, are by no means materials for books. I hope the hate channel among nations, divided by artificial borders and antagonism after the Ottoman rule, will not be Turkey. This is a topic that can be better understood after reading a little bit of history. While Europe is admitting us into its fold, it has to dream of internalizing: A European dream. In this dream, there is love and toleration of other cultures. September 28, 2004
letter1:Dearest Nevval nice to read your aricle . I agree with multicultural communities everywhere. But your example for greek and armenian languages in the street of Istanbul will put you in difficult position if Europians ask you to show them these greeks and armenians living in the “multicultural” Istanbul ! I wish you have a good answer ! (Next month I will plant my 200 black tulips!) letter2:Nevval, Very interesting insight on Turkey’s participation in Europe. Thanks! National Oilwell 103 Oil Patch Road, Suite #3 Laredo, Texas 78043 956-722-0581 Duane.Burdorf@natoil.com mektup: Your article on Turkey and Europe was interesting. Not the least because I have for long advocated a new openness on the part of all. My website IslamicSolutions.Com gives some idea of how Islam is an open, tolerant set of ideas and beliefs. It is an attempt to rediscover the humanism that has been the foundation of Islam. regards. Syed Pasha