About the People
From the Joshua Project:
The Turks originated in Turan, a region that lies between the Caspian Sea and the Mongolian Desert. They arrived in Anatolia, Turkey (Asia Minor) in the eleventh century as conquering warriors. By 1299, the Ottoman Dynasty began ruling over what would become a vast empire, greater in area than the Roman Empire and held the Caliphate lamented by Muslim fundamentalists. Over twenty states fell under Ottoman rule, including Southern Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya and Saudi Arabia. This huge empire lasted until Turkey became a republic in 1923.
Under the Ottomans, Christians and Jews were tolerated but were second-class citizens. The Armenians were persecuted and murdered in mass numbers. After the Empire collapsed in World War I and the subsequent war with Greece, many of the remaining Greek Christians were driven out of western Turkey. Since the 1920s, modern Turkey has become a secular, developed nation that sits, literally and symbolically, between the Christian West and the Muslim world.
Turkey is considered to be a “link” between the Orient (Chinese and Mongols) and the Occidental (Anglo-Saxons, Slavs, Goths and Latins). The Turks, therefore, have a knowledge and mixture of both Eastern and Western cultures.
Turkey is the only secular republic with a majority of the population being Muslim. Turkish law is not based on Islamic law but is instead a republic modeled after the Swiss and French legal systems.
The Turks represent a great opportunity to create a “fulcrum” church movement that could reach many other Muslim people groups.
Though traditional ways continue to exist in some areas, the typical Turks live a secularized, modern urban life, with all the materialistic advantages and temptations that go with it. Much cultural sexism remains as women are often viewed through traditional Islamic beliefs. Only 80 percent of women are literate as compared with 95 percent of men. A quarter of the population is under age 15.
The diet of the Turks consists of a heavy bread, olives, cheese from sheep or cows milk, onions, molasses from grapes, fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. Meats such as fish, wild game or poultry are only eaten once a week. Wealthier peasants may also eat lamb and beef, but Islam prohibits them from eating pork.
Soccer is Turkey's most popular sport. Children enjoy games such as hide-and-seek and follow-the-leader. They also love to hear fairy tales.
Relaxation is of the utmost importance to the Turk. Coffee houses are places where men meet to visit and talk politics or business. In general, the Turks are courteous, gentle people who readily show hospitality to strangers. They are also very patriotic and have a deep sense of nationalistic pride and love for their country.
About the Project
Turkey is the land where the early church made much of its progress in the first and second centuries. The seven churches in Revelation are located in this country. Today there are fewer than 0.01 percent Christians. With its population of over 76 million, this makes Turkey one of the least reached countries on earth.
Islam is the predominant religion of this society, while secularism still holds a stronghold in the ruling elite. Despite its constitution guaranteeing religious freedom, Christians are frequently persecuted. Further, public meetings, such as church services require great efforts to gain approval from the government, and public proselytizing is prohibited.
Sources
People-Group Facts
- Population: 51,301,000
- Language: Turkish
- Trade Language: Turkish
- Religion: Majority of population is Muslim
Needs
The Turkish Building Fund is designated to provide the means for the Turkish believers to build a meeting house (or church) in which to meet legally every Sabbath.
