Author/Authors :
URAL, Selçuk Sakarya Üniversitesi - Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi - Rektörlük Atatürk İlkeleri ve İnkılap Tarihi Bölümü, Turkey
Abstract :
Balkans has enjoyed a strategic significance from political, religious and economic aspects since the earliest times of history. For centuries, countless races inhabited these lands, many languages were spoken, different religions and sects thrived, and different civilizations rose to power. Turks, one of the people dominating the Balkans established a political, social, economic, and religious sphere of influence in the region. This influence still manifests itself in the Balkan countries where there are citizens with a Turkish identity.This study is about the Turkish minority group in Macedonia which declared its independence in the last quarter of the 20th century. The problems encountered by the Turks in Macedonia are classified under the following headings; education, culture, beliefs, and political representation. The study attempts to reveal to what extent the Turks were able to preserve their language, faith and culture in times of political instability experienced in the Balkans throughout history. Additionally, the study discusses, in light of statistical data and comparatively through years, the means and ways by which Macedonian Turks have access to Turkish education, organize social and cultural activities, live their faith, and gain political representation and rights
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Macedonia , Turks , population , education , religion
