Is Turkey trying to rebuild the Ottoman empire?

[2ndtoNone]

with it's involvements in Muslim countries like Somalia, Tunisia, Egypt and now Libya. In Somalia Turkey has offered 100s of Somali students scholarship to Turkish university where they will be taught mainly in the Turkish languages.

what is your take on this?

[Advo]

I welcome such move, the Islamic world needs UNITY and at this point even a extremely secular nation heading the movement will suffice. We can later work out our differences.

[Cinque Mtume]

Of course not.

The country's government is lead by a Muslim party, so naturally its policies are Muslim oriented. The Turks will never abandon the secular identity of their country and rightfully so. Look at Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. Rolemodels for a future peaceful and stable Somalia.

[Lamagoodle]

Turkey has shown that islam is not alien to economic development, innovations and democratic governance.

The only people who fear the return of the Ottoman empire are arab rulers and wahabists.

[Grant]

Turkey has shown that islam is not alien to economic development, innovations and democratic governance.

The only people who fear the return of the Ottoman empire are arab rulers and wahabists.

An empire based on language, education and mutual economic endeavors is not the same as lording it over the Kurds or Armenians. What sort of empire are you talking about?

[Lamagoodle]

Turkey has shown that islam is not alien to economic development, innovations and democratic governance.

The only people who fear the return of the Ottoman empire are arab rulers and wahabists.

An empire based on language, education and mutual economic endeavors is not the same as lording it over the Kurds or Armenians. What sort of empire are you talking about?

Grant, you obviously need to read about the Ottoman empire. it was tolerant and progressive. You are probably refering to the 18th century massacres of the Armenians and later the turks; That was the dying days of the empire.

[Grant]

Two Sheets,

Thank you for your confidence in my education. The only reference I made to the old Empire was "lording". In the present situation, methinks the Kurds probably disagree with your evaluation.

Interesting that you admit the Armenian massacres. I didn't bring them up and the Turks themselves refuse to admit they were more than dislocations and rebellions.

My point was that educational assistance does not have to lead to overlordship.

[Lamagoodle]

Two Sheets,

Thank you for your confidence in my education. The only reference I made to the old Empire was "lording". In the present situation, methinks the Kurds probably disagree with your evaluation.

Interesting that you admit the Armenian massacres. I didn't bring them up and the Turks themselves refuse to admit they were more than dislocations and rebellions.

My point was that educational assistance does not have to lead to overlordship.

Grant, without doubt, Turkey has committed a number of atrocities against Armenians and Kurds; but, we have to give credit to the new turkish leadership for its willingness to reconcile. But, my point was that the Ottoman empire shouldn't be seen as being only evil.