British Turks

Turkish Britons

File:40119229 muzzy203.jpgFile:Emre Araci portrait.jpg Notable British Turks: Muzzy İzzet, Tracey Emin, Emre Araci
Regions with significant populations
London (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
Cultural Muslim

Turkish Britons (or 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 Turkish-occupied northern half of the island of Cyprus or the communities of the Turkish diaspora. Around 300,000 Turkish and Turkish-Cypriots reside in the UK according to recent estimates. In 2005, The Independent reported that one gang alone had illegally smuggled up to 100,000 Turks in to UK.

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. Since then, the number of Turkish immigrants has been increasing, and there are currently 70,000 – 100,000 Turkish people living in Britain, they are mostly concentrated in London.

In 1991 census, over 26,000 people declared their place of birth as Turkey. Yet, this number does not reflect the correct number of the Turkish community residing in the UK, since those who were born in the UK were not included. Likewise, the illegal immigrants have not been registered in the census. It should be noted that approximately 130,000 nationals of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, whose mother tongue is Turkish, are also living in the UK as well.

The most recent wave started soon after the military coup on the Turkish mainland by General Kenan Evren in 1980. The harsh repression that followed forced many people out of the country. this included many poets, artists, intellectuals, journalists, political opponents of the regime and also ordinary people.

Integration

Many Turkish Cypriot and Turkish migrants were either forced to migrate as either political refugees or economic migrants. In the last five decades, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot businesses have been established in Britain. Among the well-known Turkish member-businesses of the Chamber are Sabanci Bank, in business since 1983 in London; the construction company Enka; Beko, affiliate of the Koc Group; Sofra, a famous restaurant chain owned by Huseyin Ozer; Propa, a company in the construction sector; Gurmen LTd, owned by Remzi Gur; Vitra; Ocean Air; Calvin Textile; and companies active in the food sector such as Turkish Food Centre(TFC), JJ Fast Food, Istanbul Catering, and Yaşar Halim Supermarket are a few examples of Turkish owned businesses in the food sector, but Turkish businesses can be found in others. The community have also developed cohesive support groups (e.g., ITDF).

Many in the Turkish speaking communities have successfully settled in different parts of London: Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon in the south, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Islington and Hackney in the north.

This successful integration of Turkish immigrants in London didn’t come without effort. The first and biggest barrier they had to face was proficiency in the English language. The help provided by the community groups to tackle this problem has been invaluable. Other British cities with large Turkish populations include Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Bradford, Hull and Sheffield.

Demographics

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.

Culture

Quite a large number of Turkish households have their own satellite system which can pick up the Turkish TV and Radio stations, so a majority of families watch Turkish TV. This is particularly useful to those members of the community who cannot speak or understand English. With the Turkish video industry and the satellite industry, most family entertainment now centres on the Television set. Most members of the Turkish community are not sports-orientated, with the exception of the football-supporter element in the community.

Social Culture

In recent times increasing numbers of ‘Balos’ (literally meaning ‘Ball’) are being held, such as Cyprus Meze Bar, these are large parties with live music, dancing and dinner, similar in style to Turkish weddings. They are usually held for a particular cause or celebration and tickets can be quite expensive, around £25- £50.

Older men gravitate to Turkish coffee shops and social clubs which are still ‘men only’ domains. This continues the Turkish custom where men sit in a village coffee house where all local and even national events are discussed.

Religon

The vast majority, 98% of the Turkish speaking community is Muslim, followers of the religion of Islam. 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 is a difference in the degree to which Islam is practised between [Turkish Cypriots] and Turkish Mainlanders; the latter tend to be stronger believers and more conservative. Festivals are not celebrated in the UK with the same level of festivity as in Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Most people are working and fewer preparations (other than food) or activities take place outside the home. Families do however, try to get together and prepare special dinners. Alcohol abstention is not strictly observed and some alcohol is served at these dinners.

Two key festivals for major celebrations are the Ramadan Bayram and the Kurban Bayram. Both of these give special emphasis to elders and children. People buy new clothes for the occasion and families get together. Elders are paid visits and the families’ deepest respect for them shown. Kissing the back of the elders’ hand and taking the hand to one’s forehead signifies this. Children receive gifts, sweets and money.

Young Turks

Singer Işın Karaca born in London to Turkish cypriot parents

Traditionally most activities are family-based and consequently many young people are not encouraged to have interests outside of the home, especially young women, as the family do not want them to ‘stray’ i.e. become too westernised. Most Turkish families are very child-orientated, having on average 3 – 4 children. Children are considered very precious and normally receive a lot of love and attention from all members of the family. Within the traditional family, ‘parents know best’. It is expected that children, whatever their age, should respect and obey them. Most children are not encouraged or given the freedom to express their views or ideas.

Children and young people growing up in the UK face numerous problems. Firstly they face the problem of bi-lingualism and secondly, they have to understand and cope with two cultural backgrounds, often with no one able to explain the differences and/or similarities. Therefore young people often live separate lives at school and at home. Although this is changing, some schools have little understanding of Turkish speaking communities or parents’ values and this can lead to problems.

Organisations and associations

18 associations representing different sections of the Turkish community, aiming to establish a stage to improve the means of cooperation for the Turkish community, came together and formed the UK Federation of Turkish Associations. The most influential association of Turkish businessmen is the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI), which was founded in 1980 as a nonprofit organization to provide its members with services and to encourage bilateral trade and investments between UK and Turkey.

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

Notable British Turks

Main article: List of Turkish Britons

See also

• 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