Turkish Foundations In Rhodes And Kos

Turks living in the Aegean islands of Rhodes and Kos under Greek sovereignty have a multitude of problems at present. These can be summarized under various headings such as Citizenship, the Right to Education in Turkish, Free Practice of Religion, Environment of Hatred and Oppression, Foundations (Waqfs) and Protection of Cultural Heritage Inherited from the Ottoman Turks. Greece has been implementing various policies for the cultural assimilation of Island Turks. Part of cultural assimilation policies adopted by Greece was its actions towards cutting off all ties between the Turkish foundations and island Turks, and consequently destroying architectural monuments inherited from the Ottomans. It is known that establishment of the foundations on the islands started with the Ottoman conquest of Rhodes and Kos in 1522. Over the centuries, foundations led to the development of a feeling of unity and solidarity among the island Turks. Foundations have provided opportunities for island Turks in important areas from worship services to education and has also contributed to the preservation of common traditions. After the end of the Second World War, the island was assigned to the sovereignty of Greece in 1947, Greece started launching a policy for the gradual destruction of Muslim Turkish foundations. Unlike other foundations in Greece, foundations in Rhodes and Kos are subject to heavy taxes in addition to the same property taxes as commercial institutions. On the other hand, the Greek governments compelled the foundations to sell part of their properties by continuously forcing the Foundation Administration to make huge payments. By dwindling the Turkish foundations, Greece has been trying to bring the Turkish presence in Rhodes and Kos to an end. In summary, the Turks living in Rhodes and Kos today are on the brink of losing their Turkishness let alone preserving their cultural identity, including foundations. An atmosphere of fear prevails among the island Turks and they feel intimidated. We wish that the book Turkish Foundations in Rhodes and Kos will be beneficial to researchers who will conduct studies on this subject and also raise awareness in the international arena on the assimilation policies implemented by Greece.

Explore the intricate historical fabric that has woven the complex relationship between Turkey and Greece along the enchanting Aegean Sea. Despite their shared geographic proximity, Greece and Turkey secured their independence in vastly different centuries, with Greece gaining sovereignty in 1830 and Turkey in 1923. Their journeys to nationhood were marred by conflicts, casting a long shadow over their subsequent interactions. Both nations, influenced by the passionate Mediterranean temperament, have engaged in a delicate dance of disputes. Their interactions have often embodied the saying "the pot calling the kettle black," leading to a series of missteps that occasionally teetered on the brink of armed conflicts in the Aegean. In the process, the welfare of their respective minority communities was often overlooked in the name of protecting their compatriots. Turkey and Greece have resorted to the concept of "reciprocity," despite its historical association with a cycle of transgressions. This practice, deemed incompatible with international law (as highlighted in Article 60/5 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties), further complicates their relations. This insightful book consists of two parts. The first dissects the injustices perpetrated by both nations against their minority populations, meticulously examining the relevant articles of the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty and other international texts to expose violations. The second part navigates the turbulent waters of Aegean conflicts, offering impartial insights and arguments, free from national bias. Embark on a journey through a century of history, geopolitics, and international law as we unravel the complexities of Turkey and Greece's quest for understanding, reconciliation, and peace in the Aegean.

This book introduces students to ideas, events and personalities that have created the present-day world. Many of these significant factors either do not find mention in school texts or are not handled with sufficient clarity. This book thus attempts to set them out in a way that challenges young-adult minds. it is hoped that this book will enthuse them to explore the raesons for and the results of important historical developments.