Turkish Forum

Category: Asia and Pacific

  • Do Turks like Pakistanis?

    Do Turks like Pakistanis?

    F.M. a lawyer at Lahore High Court, Punjab (Pakistan) answers this question as follows:

    Well, I am not a Turk but still want to answer this question:

    There is a Turkish Restaurant in Lahore (Pakistan) owned by a Turk and most of the staff was Turkish as well. I went there with my stepmother and they served us so well and with so much hospitality that we were impressed. They even served us complimentary starters and complimentary tea and dessert as well.

    I went there again after a month or so and ordered some food. I was served extra/complimentary lamb meat along with starters, tea and dessert. It was a generous gesture from the chef that I liked so much that I became a regular customer. And in that restaurant one does not feel uncomfortable at all which one generally does if going alone and for a person like me who always likes to go alone it was a heaven. I felt safe, warm, comfortable, ambiance was great and the food was amazing too.

    So, in the end I would like to say that Turks are to us like our brothers and sisters. They are very nice and kind people. The culture, religion and values of Turkish people and Pakistanis are the same. I had a good experience with them so I think they do like us and we love them too as our brothers in Islam. 🙂

    Edit: I wrote this answer a long time back and to answer some of the trolls saying that Turks hate Pakistanis I want to say that remember the time of 1922 when these same Muslims helped you in the First World War. Secondly, there can be many incidents where Pakistanis have quoted bad experiences with the Turkish people and it can be vice versa too but the thing is that these things happen everywhere and to maintain peace is the biggest key to success. Europe was once a fighting ground but they eliminated their differences to move on and prosper and they did. I wonder why all the Muslim countries are against each other when there is so many similar grounds to stay together and prosper. You guys like western or liberal countries where they keep you like a second or rather third class citizens but reject those Muslims who consider you brothers. What a shame.

  • Why does Pakistan love Turkey?

    Why does Pakistan love Turkey?

    This is the father of Pakistan: Muhammad Ali Jinnah

    And this here is his bedside book which he has carried throughout his life with himself and read many times: Grey Wolf

    I think this must explain many things about Pakistan and Turkey relations.

    Actually, it’s not only restricted to Pakistanis but also most of the Indian Muslims have historically very much positive attitude for Turkey in comparison to any of the other Muslim majority nations such as Saudi Arabia or Iran. This has many historical reasons which came until today in a chain reaction, but let’s just end it here inside of the nation-building history.

    The last example:

    Abdurrahman Peşaveri

    A Kashmiri Pashtun, who came during the Balkan wars to help as a young man for the Ottoman army, became a high ranking officer later and was named after the Independence war led from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the first director of the Turkish Anadolu Agency, the state news outlet of the new founded Republic of Turkey.

    He was called “Lala Turki” (Turkish Brother) or “Çaça Turki” (Turkish Uncle) among the Turks. And just like him, hundreds of others have arrived to help the Turkish army during the Balkan wars, First World war, and Independence war of Turkey, or sent their precious belongings in fundraising actions to the Ottoman Empire or the newly founded Turkey. Since then, and especially after the establishment of Pakistan, their relations became extraordinary which lasts until today.

    Agar Usmaniyon Par Koh-E-Gham Toota To Kya Gham Hai

    Ke Khoon-E-Sad Hazar Anjum Se Hoti Hai Sahar Paida

    If a mountain of grief collapsed upon the Ottomans, then why lament?

    For the dawn arises from the blood of a hundred thousand stars.

    -Allama Iqbal-

    Alexei Yahontov

  • How do Afghans view Turks?

    How do Afghans view Turks?

    Turks and Afghanis were always good at their relationship. Even there is an idiom in Afghanistan.

    “no Afghan was ever killed by a Turkish bullet and no Afghan trained by Turks has ever betrayed his country.”

    They trust Turks. Turks loves and determined to protect them. After the NATO intervention in Afghanistan, the Turks who went there as NATO peace force have been saluted as saviors. And Americans knew that since they needed to carry TURKISH FLAG patches on their uniforms in order to avoid an Afghan attack on them.

    Turks never shot a bullet in Afghanistan. They never had to. Afghanistani people put Turkish flags in their homes.

    After the war, Turks have provided security and training also aids to Afghanistani people.

    Not only military, also civillian help has been provided.

    They sent their female officers to only Turkey. Not somewhere else…

    So what I can say is that, maybe ordinary Turkish citizens do not know much about Afghanistan, they don’t focus or care about them but by the State logic, Turks and Afghans are so close due to close historical and ethnic ties…

    Orhan Abuska wrote on Quora

  • What does Erdogan’s win mean for the world?

    What does Erdogan’s win mean for the world?

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was declared the winner of the presidential election. What does it mean for the world?

    Arshad Khan, a new resident of Istanbul from International Islamic University, Malaysia answers this question as follows:

    Victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan means different to different leaders and countries

    America: Not an easy ally who bow down to their tune, tough time to deal with unless Trump is incharge

    NATO: Dependable ally, second largest military with good relations against projected enemies

    Sweden: Difficult road ahead to get in NATO

    Europe: Alternative to China to smaller extent with whom they want to lessen their dependency. will not be dancing to their tune on false promises of Entry to european Union. They will gear up trying to be good friends after trying desperately to not get him elected.

    Turkic states: Good news, they can play a unified major role

    UAE & Saudia: continuation of newly developed friendship, can be a reliable partner against western bullying.

    Qatar & Azerbiajan: Big Brother victory which to be celebrated by whole country

    China: can continue working on BRI and silk route revival. trustable and important route for their export markets

    Russia & Iran: Happiest, will make Turkey the HUB of energy for supplying to west without sanctions

    Iraq: can proceed further on development of Highway from Basra to Europe via Turkey

    Syria: will try to ally by asking more concession but will get realigned from pressure of Russia and Iran

    Afganistan & pakistan: Dreamland of Ertugrul gazi and revival of ottoman empire.

    Africa: happiest and want to continue the trade and business and develop it multifold.

  • Is Armenia a failed nation?

    Is Armenia a failed nation?

    I think it is a failed nation. I am not trying to be offensive but there are some things to realize why they are failed.

    Average Armenian still lives in 1915. If you try to make a sensible conversation with an average Armenian the conversation ALWAYS comes to “genocide” at some point. It literally sounds like they are BRAGGING about being a victim all the time; it’s bizarre and annoying because it doesn’t add anything to any conversation and it blocks the development of the relationships between their neighbors hence the rest of the world.

    They always talk about how they survived a genocide etc and they think their neighboring countries are the ones who should be blamed for their poor economy and social infrastructure. But they don’t see the fact that Israel, a real holocaust survivor nation, was born from their ashes and now they are one of the strongest and most influential countries in the world.

    Another thing; A nation’s progress happens through their folk. They need to accept their history and move on. There’s no point to feed the younger generation with hatred. The below pictures are average Armenian’s mindset and the lack of respect for national symbols are saddening. These kids are growing with hate. I’ve seen many similar scenes in Los Angeles. Kids and their grandmas/grandpas are stepping on Turkish flags like they are getting revenge, i think this is pathetic.

    (the people in the picture above are Armenian officials..)

    I’ve met and interacted with MANY Armenians who live in California and I can honestly say most of them are decent people but extremely ignorant due to their parents. God forbid if you don’t agree with their genocidal claims they become hostile.

    I personally don’t think Armenia will be a developed country ever because their mindset is a huge block on development.

    Damien Roth

  • Why does Turkey allow ANZAC day celebrations?

    Why does Turkey allow ANZAC day celebrations?

    Why does Turkey allow Australians to celebrate ANZAC day on its territory?

    Here is what the commander of the Turkish forces at Galipoli had to say about the fallen ANZACS;

    “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours … You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

    Pretty sure that answers your question.

    Mark Peacock
    Studied at Murdoch University

    Australians are being warned of the possibility of terror attacks in Turkey as Anzac Day approaches. File image. Source: AFP