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Silent Kurds Have Spoken at Last
ABDULHAMIT BILICI
Zaman, Turkey
Aug 29 2005
The controversy that started with Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip]
Erdogan's meeting with a group of intellectuals and his visit to
Diyarbakir, continues to heat up.
While some applaud Erdogan for taking the initiative on this difficult
issue in such difficult times, others maintain that Erdogan's approach
legitimizes the terrorist PKK and its extensions. Last week, we tried
in this context to reflect the views of one of our citizens, who has
a very good education, who can speak more than one foreign languages
and menages his own business in Istanbul, on this controversy.
Last week, I had promised that we were going to continue to listen
his perspective on the possibility of a Kurdish state, developments
in Northern Iraq, Turkish-Kurdish relations throughout history
and solutions to the issue. Secondly, I had urged our "silent
Kurdish citizens" to speak out loudly, who because of their
silence, have abandoned the public sphere to the PKK and other
racist/Marxist/separatist elements. If they responded positively to
that call, I would allocate a space to their views here.
If we start with the latter, I could say this call prompted a huge
wave of reactions. I congratulate readers who courageously shared
their views in a manner that did not transgress moral bounds. The
letters from readers, who put forward their own ideas on the issue
have already been publicized in zaman.com.tr, in the section just
below the article. Those who follow Zaman online probably have already
read these letters. Here, I will just summarize the common points
in these letters. Furthermore, I have received some letters from our
international readers as well, since the English translation of the
article has also been published in "zaman.com". Among these letters,
there are readers who are disturbed by the Turkish/Kurdish-Nazi/Jewish
analogy, as well as readers, who are exaggerating the differences
between the two kin communities, maintain there is no solution other
than separation. Some, such as the Belgian State Television, even want
to speak with the "silent Kurd," whose views are being communicated
in the article.
The letters show that those who are infected by the racism disease
can hardly be cured and it is futile to expect any solution from such
people. A Kurd, whom I surmise is from Iraq, dismissed my emphasis
on common points between the two communities as follows: "We are
not brothers. What annoys me most in life is the Arabs and Turks
continuously saying they are brothers of the Kurds." On the other
extremity of the array is a Turk overtaken by racism: "Our greatest
mistake has been to claim that Kurds and Turks are kin races, which
were descended from a common origin. Because this is not true and
the Kurds are one of the ugliest races ever."
Coming to the sensible letters, a reader for instance wrote that
silence is a characteristic feature of the Anatolian people and it is
an attitude in itself. Another reader maintained that Kurds prefer
to remain silent because anyone who expresses his/her grievances is
regarded as a PKK supporter. A third called on "the silent Turks to
speak out on behalf of their Kurdish brothers so that they can obtain
the rights they deserve."
Let's stop here and listen to our hero whom I was talking to as a
representative of the silent Kurds:
I wouldn't prefer Diyarbakir over Istanbul
"The separation idea has no foothold at the public level. Why
should businessman Halis Toprak, who is of Kurdish origin, favor
separation?" Such demands come mostly from those who have no position
in the society. Besides, I wouldn't go and live in Diyarbakir if a
Kurdish state was established there. Someone who is used to live in
Istanbul would not like to go to Diyarbakir, even if he is of Kurdish
origin. His losses would be greater than his gains. Visa requirements
would make going to the East harder, and more importantly, those
who come from Diyarbakir to work in Istanbul would not be able to
do so anymore. Furthermore, if a Kurdish state were established, it
is the Kurdish grassroots that would suffer most. Because a tribal
conflict, greater than the one between [Massoud] Barzani and [Jalal]
Talabani, would ensue. I am afraid that if Kurds come to power it may
lead to oppression, cruelty and chaos, because only a few of them
have the level of knowledge and culture required to understand the
world. If such a development takes place, angry masses would pillage
Diyarbakir. Under PKK's umbrella, militant boys and girls live together
on the mountains. This way of life is 100 percent opposite to the
Kurdish culture. If they take the power, people will oppose them and
then the Kurds will witness another kind of ideological imposition,
this time in the hands of their ethnic brothers."
Definition of 'Kurdish issue'
"Whatever it is called, this is an artificial issue. However,
some circles by over-emphasizing this point, compelled the current
government to use the expression, 'the Kurdish problem' as well. In
my opinion, there is no such issue. I think about my relatives. I am
also active in the committees of local folks. I don't discern such a
demand among them. Hunger and unemployment are the issues the people
care more about. Erdogan has good intentions but he should rather
not take this artificial demand seriously. "
A Kurdish state in Iraq?
"Northern Iraq is a closed desert with no opening to the sea. Now it
is supported by the United States. When the U.S. withdraws, they will
fall into the hands of either Russia or Israel. When I remind them
this possibility, they brazenly respond, "Nevermind, Turkey also is
on the lap of the United States." Barzani and Talabani have no value
whatsoever in my eyes. They are types who do not understand what is
going on in the world. If Iraq preserved its integrity, it would be
more reasonable. But Saddam's cruelty hindered this. Moreover, we do
not understand the Sorani dialect of the Kurdish spoken in Northern
Iraq. "
'Constitutional citizenship' does not explain our ties
"Constitutional citizenship is not enough to explain the ties
between us. I can not imagine of a Kurd and a Turk separately. Their
religion, families, names, culture and history are same. Kurds came
to Anatolia from Central Asia and brought with them many Turkish names
as well. The names of our districts, our villages, which are populated
by Kurds, authenticate this fact. When I express this fact, I am told
by politically affiliated Kurds that I have been assimilated. When I
hit back saying, this has no relevance whatsoever with that, challenge
them, 'let's see who knows Kurdish better', they remain silent. The
only difference between us is the language. Could there be a Kurdish
history devoid of Fatih, Yavuz and Salahaddin Ayyubi. There are as
many Kurds in Turkey who name their children 'Fatih' as those who
vote on the PKK line in elections. "
Why do silent Kurds remain silent?
"First of all, those who are better-off have no such problems. For
instance, why should Halis Toprak or Ibrahim Tatlýses speak out?
Secondly, the media does not give room to reasonable, moderate
people. Generally, the same political figures speak. Thirdly, the
menace faced by the discordant statements may as well be effective.
Is it possible for a person living in Diyarbakir to express his/her
views without fear? The base of the separatist line is one percent
but they are organized at national and international level and they
are armed, consequently effective. In my opinion, politics based on
ethnicity is nothing other than a vile strife.
Suggestions for solution
"Above all, hunger and unemployment should be eradicated. On the
ideological level, the solution lies on the Ottoman model. As a matter
of fact, that model bears on the self-conscious Islamic culture. During
The Ottoman time, there had been no such problems, not just with the
Kurds but with Christians and Armenians. In this formula, everyone
was free to live according to his/her culture and belief. Turkish
and Kurdish cultures have the same origin. But the Islamic culture of
the Kurds is a localized and slightly radicalized version of it. The
emphasis on feminine virtue is upfront. The Easterner does not send
his/her daughter to school because of this reason. Significantly,
the PKK also wants Kurds to distance themselves from religion. I
was watching Roj TV. Responding to a question from the audience,
they openly said that they were against religious programs. Anyway,
if PKK had had religious references they already would have realized
their objectives."
That's how the silent Kurd thinks. We will see if the silent ones or
the brawlers determine the future of the issue?
--Boundary_(ID_Xb1OtJCqDJXE7Qde5G/r4A)--
ABDULHAMIT BILICI
Zaman, Turkey
Aug 29 2005
The controversy that started with Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip]
Erdogan's meeting with a group of intellectuals and his visit to
Diyarbakir, continues to heat up.
While some applaud Erdogan for taking the initiative on this difficult
issue in such difficult times, others maintain that Erdogan's approach
legitimizes the terrorist PKK and its extensions. Last week, we tried
in this context to reflect the views of one of our citizens, who has
a very good education, who can speak more than one foreign languages
and menages his own business in Istanbul, on this controversy.
Last week, I had promised that we were going to continue to listen
his perspective on the possibility of a Kurdish state, developments
in Northern Iraq, Turkish-Kurdish relations throughout history
and solutions to the issue. Secondly, I had urged our "silent
Kurdish citizens" to speak out loudly, who because of their
silence, have abandoned the public sphere to the PKK and other
racist/Marxist/separatist elements. If they responded positively to
that call, I would allocate a space to their views here.
If we start with the latter, I could say this call prompted a huge
wave of reactions. I congratulate readers who courageously shared
their views in a manner that did not transgress moral bounds. The
letters from readers, who put forward their own ideas on the issue
have already been publicized in zaman.com.tr, in the section just
below the article. Those who follow Zaman online probably have already
read these letters. Here, I will just summarize the common points
in these letters. Furthermore, I have received some letters from our
international readers as well, since the English translation of the
article has also been published in "zaman.com". Among these letters,
there are readers who are disturbed by the Turkish/Kurdish-Nazi/Jewish
analogy, as well as readers, who are exaggerating the differences
between the two kin communities, maintain there is no solution other
than separation. Some, such as the Belgian State Television, even want
to speak with the "silent Kurd," whose views are being communicated
in the article.
The letters show that those who are infected by the racism disease
can hardly be cured and it is futile to expect any solution from such
people. A Kurd, whom I surmise is from Iraq, dismissed my emphasis
on common points between the two communities as follows: "We are
not brothers. What annoys me most in life is the Arabs and Turks
continuously saying they are brothers of the Kurds." On the other
extremity of the array is a Turk overtaken by racism: "Our greatest
mistake has been to claim that Kurds and Turks are kin races, which
were descended from a common origin. Because this is not true and
the Kurds are one of the ugliest races ever."
Coming to the sensible letters, a reader for instance wrote that
silence is a characteristic feature of the Anatolian people and it is
an attitude in itself. Another reader maintained that Kurds prefer
to remain silent because anyone who expresses his/her grievances is
regarded as a PKK supporter. A third called on "the silent Turks to
speak out on behalf of their Kurdish brothers so that they can obtain
the rights they deserve."
Let's stop here and listen to our hero whom I was talking to as a
representative of the silent Kurds:
I wouldn't prefer Diyarbakir over Istanbul
"The separation idea has no foothold at the public level. Why
should businessman Halis Toprak, who is of Kurdish origin, favor
separation?" Such demands come mostly from those who have no position
in the society. Besides, I wouldn't go and live in Diyarbakir if a
Kurdish state was established there. Someone who is used to live in
Istanbul would not like to go to Diyarbakir, even if he is of Kurdish
origin. His losses would be greater than his gains. Visa requirements
would make going to the East harder, and more importantly, those
who come from Diyarbakir to work in Istanbul would not be able to
do so anymore. Furthermore, if a Kurdish state were established, it
is the Kurdish grassroots that would suffer most. Because a tribal
conflict, greater than the one between [Massoud] Barzani and [Jalal]
Talabani, would ensue. I am afraid that if Kurds come to power it may
lead to oppression, cruelty and chaos, because only a few of them
have the level of knowledge and culture required to understand the
world. If such a development takes place, angry masses would pillage
Diyarbakir. Under PKK's umbrella, militant boys and girls live together
on the mountains. This way of life is 100 percent opposite to the
Kurdish culture. If they take the power, people will oppose them and
then the Kurds will witness another kind of ideological imposition,
this time in the hands of their ethnic brothers."
Definition of 'Kurdish issue'
"Whatever it is called, this is an artificial issue. However,
some circles by over-emphasizing this point, compelled the current
government to use the expression, 'the Kurdish problem' as well. In
my opinion, there is no such issue. I think about my relatives. I am
also active in the committees of local folks. I don't discern such a
demand among them. Hunger and unemployment are the issues the people
care more about. Erdogan has good intentions but he should rather
not take this artificial demand seriously. "
A Kurdish state in Iraq?
"Northern Iraq is a closed desert with no opening to the sea. Now it
is supported by the United States. When the U.S. withdraws, they will
fall into the hands of either Russia or Israel. When I remind them
this possibility, they brazenly respond, "Nevermind, Turkey also is
on the lap of the United States." Barzani and Talabani have no value
whatsoever in my eyes. They are types who do not understand what is
going on in the world. If Iraq preserved its integrity, it would be
more reasonable. But Saddam's cruelty hindered this. Moreover, we do
not understand the Sorani dialect of the Kurdish spoken in Northern
Iraq. "
'Constitutional citizenship' does not explain our ties
"Constitutional citizenship is not enough to explain the ties
between us. I can not imagine of a Kurd and a Turk separately. Their
religion, families, names, culture and history are same. Kurds came
to Anatolia from Central Asia and brought with them many Turkish names
as well. The names of our districts, our villages, which are populated
by Kurds, authenticate this fact. When I express this fact, I am told
by politically affiliated Kurds that I have been assimilated. When I
hit back saying, this has no relevance whatsoever with that, challenge
them, 'let's see who knows Kurdish better', they remain silent. The
only difference between us is the language. Could there be a Kurdish
history devoid of Fatih, Yavuz and Salahaddin Ayyubi. There are as
many Kurds in Turkey who name their children 'Fatih' as those who
vote on the PKK line in elections. "
Why do silent Kurds remain silent?
"First of all, those who are better-off have no such problems. For
instance, why should Halis Toprak or Ibrahim Tatlýses speak out?
Secondly, the media does not give room to reasonable, moderate
people. Generally, the same political figures speak. Thirdly, the
menace faced by the discordant statements may as well be effective.
Is it possible for a person living in Diyarbakir to express his/her
views without fear? The base of the separatist line is one percent
but they are organized at national and international level and they
are armed, consequently effective. In my opinion, politics based on
ethnicity is nothing other than a vile strife.
Suggestions for solution
"Above all, hunger and unemployment should be eradicated. On the
ideological level, the solution lies on the Ottoman model. As a matter
of fact, that model bears on the self-conscious Islamic culture. During
The Ottoman time, there had been no such problems, not just with the
Kurds but with Christians and Armenians. In this formula, everyone
was free to live according to his/her culture and belief. Turkish
and Kurdish cultures have the same origin. But the Islamic culture of
the Kurds is a localized and slightly radicalized version of it. The
emphasis on feminine virtue is upfront. The Easterner does not send
his/her daughter to school because of this reason. Significantly,
the PKK also wants Kurds to distance themselves from religion. I
was watching Roj TV. Responding to a question from the audience,
they openly said that they were against religious programs. Anyway,
if PKK had had religious references they already would have realized
their objectives."
That's how the silent Kurd thinks. We will see if the silent ones or
the brawlers determine the future of the issue?
--Boundary_(ID_Xb1OtJCqDJXE7Qde5G/r4A)--