We saw Kurds and Alewis as minorities

When we hear the word "minority," we almost immediately look to the Lausanne Treaty. We treat the articles of the treaty like they are the commandments of the Holy Book. We behave in a very superficial way. We should realize that there are concepts of both "being a minority," and "feeling like a minority."

In this context, I would like to ask a question.

Over all these years, did we treat Kurds as equals? Did we provide them with education, health services and employment opportunities?

Please note that I am not talking about precautions taken against the separatist terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK/Kongra-Gel). I am talking about our general attitude towards our Kurdish citizens.

We didn’t even recognize their existence.

Didn’t we tell them: "You don’t know who you are. You are not Kurds, you are mountain Turks?"

Didn’t we change the names of their villages to Turkish?

Didn’t we even prevent them giving their children Kurdish names?

Didn’t we ban them from talking Kurdish or listening to Kurdish songs?

Didn’t we purposefully leave the Southeast poor and ignorant? Didn’t we ignore the fact that a clan structure was being established there?

Now I ask you: What does imposing all these restrictions mean but "treating them like a minority?"

We should now accuse the European Union of trying to divide Turkey by defining Kurds as a minority.

We should first change our attitudes towards the Kurds. We should treat them as equals. Moreover, we should stop objecting to Kurds being classified as a minority. Kurds can do that themselves, because being classified as a minority in not in their interests.

Didn’t we consider Alewis as a minority?
Now, let’s look at the status of the Alewis.

Didn’t the dominant Sunnis force Alewis to remain on the sidelines for years?

The religious Affairs Directorate didn’t use even a small part of the taxes it collected from the Alewis to support Cem Houses (Alewi places of worship).

Alewis were always put under pressure.

Only when the Sunni Islamists became dominant did the Alewis draw praise as the "protectors of the secular system."

Didn’t the state instigate Sunni-Alewi conflicts? How quickly we forget the large-scale clashes that occurred in the 1970s.

EU can help resolve both issues
Those who accuse the EU of having bad intentions on the issues of Kurds and Alewis are mistaken. We have a serious Kurdish problem and a constantly worsening Alewi issue. If the Alewis have failed to take up arms until now, it’s only due to their community leaders and personal beliefs.

If Turkey integrates with the EU, these two issues can be resolved easily.

As Kurds realize that the EU represents "equal treatment and the sharing of resources," they will be less prone to resorting to arms. Without the EU, the mutual suspicion and fears will remain.

Alewis are also aware that the broader human rights and equality the EU will bring will change the attitude of the Sunni majority. At least, that’s what both communities hope for.

To summarize, the EU will not divide Turkey. However, if Turkey remains committed to following the same policies, it will divide itself.

It was unfortunate that we failed to beat Denmark
A 1-1 draw may please some while our good and dynamic play may have pleased others. However, football is a game of results. No one remembers a team that simply played well. Only the result of the game is remembered. The best goal, the best result and the medals are all included in the statistics. Wasted penalties, missed chances and other sloppiness are soon forgotten.

That’s why I cannot be pleased with the result of the Denmark game. The Turkish national team failed to beat a Denmark side playing with ten men, and as a result have jeopardized their chances of becoming group winners.

I hope no one misunderstands what I say. I enjoyed the match tremendously, but was upset by all the missed chances.

Our only hope is that the national team, which appears to have found belief itself once again, will win its remaining matches.