Turkey's policy towards religious minorities

Abstract EN

The independence of individuals and societies in a state, with their various labels, plays a fundamental and important role in its progress and economic prosperity, a matter which reflect the strength or weakness of the state.

As a state, Turkey is no exception from this rule.

This topic, (Turkey‟s policy towards its religious minorities) discusses 2 principle points, the first of which is Turkey‟s government policy since the foundation of modern state of Turkey in 1923 until the Justice and Development party (JDP) gained authority in 2002.

This principle explains Turkish state general policy towards religious minorities, whether or not there is any differentiation among minorities? And, regarding this issue, what are the pillars on which the political Turkish regime relied on? The second principle was meant to explain the religious minorities or the none Muslim minorities, since Islam is the official religion of the Turkish state.

This principle explained these minorities labels, numbers, their whereabouts and religions, in addition to the most important issues they faced, their living conditions and how the Turkish authorities dealt with them.