British Turks

British Turks

File:Emre Araci portrait.jpg Notable British Turks: Tracey Emin, Emre Araci, Jem Karacan Kemal and Rob Data, Işın Karaca, Boris Johnson
Regions with significant populations
London (Enfield, Islington, Hackney, Harringay, Loughton, Buckhursthill, Stoke Newington, Turnpike Lane, Newington Green, Peckham, Lewisham) · Birmingham · Manchester · Liverpool · Leeds · Glasgow · Bradford · Hull · Sheffield
Languages
British English · Turkish
Religion
Mainly Muslim (98%), minority irreligious

British Turks are either Turkish people who live in the United Kingdom even though having been born outside the UK, or are British-born, but have Turkish roots. By Turkish roots, this could mean roots linking back to Turkey, the island of Cyprus or the communities of the Turkish diaspora. The UK (along side the French Turks and Turkish Americans) is home to the second largest Turkish diaspora behind the community in Germany.

History

The first wave of Turkish immigrants were Turkish Cypriots, who fled Cyprus because it became unstable to live there, to seek refuge in the UK, which was made possible due to Cyprus being a former British colony. The Turkish Cypriot community has been in Hackney the longest. The first immigrants came to the UK between 1930 and 1950. They came from a rural agricultural background with little knowledge of English and little formal education. (Education beyond the age of twelve was only provided to those who could afford it, and was dominated by the sons of wealthy families).

The original settlers were single men, most obtaining jobs in restaurants and hotels where there was no need to speak or write English. Later on, sisters, and brides-to-be, who would then work alongside their husbands (or brothers) as washers up etc, joined these settlers. Members of this group are now in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and they have raised their families in this country.

The second group of settlers came between 1950 and 1970 in the post-war boom period of the British economy. Some came over as a direct result of the political events in Cyprus. They came with their extended families and/or brought their parents over shortly after their arrival, to prevent the break up of the family unit. These parents played a valuable role in giving support at home by looking after their grandchildren, whilst their children were working. The majority of these people are now of pensionable age, with little English language skills, given their lack of formal education and their insulation within the Turkish Cypriot community. Many of the second group of settlers worked in factories or moved into the ‘rag trade’, where both men and women could work together, where language was not a problem and where self-employment was a possibility. Sewing was also a skill women had acquired in Cyprus.

Finally, there is a small third group of settlers who came to the UK for educational purposes, and who then settled, in some cases being ‘overstayers’ and took up professional posts. Many of these people, as well as the second and third generation educated descendants of earlier settlers, are the initiators of the voluntary groups and organisations, which give support and advice to Turkish speaking people living in England – mainly in London and the surrounding areas.

Population

The Turkish community is generally located in north London.

The Turkish community in London (according to The Guardian )

An estimated 100,000 Turkish nationals and 130,000 nationals of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus currently live in the UK. At the time of the 2001 UK Census, 54,079 Turkish-born people were resident in the UK, although the total number of Turks including those born in Cyprus and those born in the UK with Turkish ancesters is unknown. The number of ethnic Turks in the UK regardless of birthplace is thought to be around 350,000 Although in 2005, The Independent reported that one gang alone had illegally smuggled an extremely large number of Turks in to UK (100,000 in fact). Thus, the Turkish population is estimated at half a million.

According to the Home Office London is home to 72% of the Muslims in the ‘Other white’ category in England and Wales. ‘Other white’ Muslims are likely to live in Haringey and Enfield which consists mainly of the large Turkish community, other areas include Hackney, Lewisham, Bexley, Islington, Bromley, Kensington and Chelsea.

Social culture

In Stoke Newington and Dalston, many Turkish men also congregate at social clubs affiliated with Turkish football teams such as Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Adanaspor. These social clubs are also popular venues for watching both local and international Turkish football.

Religion

The vast majority (98%) of the Turkish-speaking community is Muslim, and the remaining people do not have any religious affiliation. In recent years there has also been a strong movement towards religion by younger generation of Turkish speakers. The desire to retain an identity has increased the strength of Islam among the communities. Clinging to traditions is seen as a way of maintaining culture and identity. There are however a few Turks which do not practice their religion, and do not abstain from eating non-halal food or drinking alcohol.

There are numerous Mosques in London, mainly in Hackney, that are predominantly used by Turkish speaking people especially the Aziziye Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque. Many members of the Turkish speaking communities who use them, spend a great deal of time at the Mosques, particularly for prayer, but also for companionship, advice and for group identity.

Demographics

London office of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Bedford Square.

File:Embassy of Turkey in London.jpg

Embassy of Turkey in London, Belgrave Square.

Many of the Turkish speaking communities have successfully settled in different parts of London, notably in Hackney and Haringey, but also in Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, Enfield and Islington. The mjority of the Turkish population live in Hackney, mainly whom are Turkish Cypriot. Turkish-speaking communities are located in all parts of the Borough, though there is a greater concentration in North and Central parts of the Borough. Stoke Newington, Newington Green and Dalston have the greatest concentration of population and in particular Green Lanes, running from Manor House down to Newington Green Roundabout.

From Dalston and Hackney, E8 and Stoke Newington, N16 the stretch of road between Dalston Kingsland railway station and Stoke Newington Church Street is home to Turkish shops, restaurants, cafés, businesses and services. The Turkish food available here is mainly authentic in London, with many regional specialities available that are rarely seen elsewhere. Furthermore, from Green Lanes, Haringey, N4 and Newington Green, N16 Stretching from Newington Green in the south to Palmer's Green in the north, is predominantly a Cypriot area, with a mixture of Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot communities and businesses. However, Green Lanes has been changing in recent years. Many newer Turkish immigrants have been settling in the area.

Media

Turkish newspapers

• Avrupa Gazete
• Olay Gazete
• Star Gazete
• Toplum Postası, was the first local newspaper designed to serve the Turkish speaking community in the United Kingdom.

Turkish radio

• London Turkish Radio, is a Turkish radio station broadcasting to London
• Bizim FM

Turkish websites

• Bizim Havamiz[1], was the first online website for the turkish community in the United Kingdom.

Photos of British Turks

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Notable British Turks

Main article: List of British Turks

See also

• Anglo-Turkish relations
• List of British Turks
• Turkish diaspora

External links

• Turkish Community Project London
• Turkish Radio
• BBC article Turkish London feature
• Turkish Consulate
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation report about young British Turks
• Reassessing what we collect website – Turkish Cypriot London History of Turkish Cypriot London with objects and images