A study of prejudice in Turkey conducted by the Frekans Research Filed and Data Processing Co. revealed deep seated prejudices among Turks regarding other cultural and religious groups. About 54% said the Alevis who belong to more liberal Muslim beliefs were not regarded as deeply attached the Turkish nation. Only 16% thought Greeks were and 15% thought Armenians and Jews had a deep feeling of belonging to Turkey. When asked where these people should be or not be allowed to work, 55% said they should be kept out of the judiciary, police and the military, 57% said out of any national security agency, and half did not wish them to occupy important government positions.
When asked who they would not like as a neighbor, 57% said an atheist family, 42% did not want Jews in the neighborhood and Christians followed at 35%. The figures reveal that Turkey which seeks entry into the European Union has yet to grapple with the prejudices in their own homeland which might lead to trouble if immigrants could freely enter their land as members of EU nations. An interesting figure is that 76% admitted having no knowledge of Jews but they didn’t want them as neighbors. This suggests ignorance is a major factor in prejudice in Turkey.
