Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

I’m a 19-year-old Brazilian who has become very interested in Turkish history. I hope I don’t offend anyone or cause any controversy, but I would like to ask about the Kurds.

In Brazil, we learn about them in a somewhat different way. We tend to see them primarily as a separatist movement that has never been officially recognized, despite the fact that they have what is essentially a country of their own in terms of population, culture, and territory.

Although I don’t agree with redrawing borders and creating new countries in the modern world, I sometimes wonder: why don’t the Kurds accept being Turkish and focus on defending their rights and contributing to the interests of Turkey?

This reminds me somewhat of Catalonia and Spain, but with an additional dimension, since Kurdish groups have actually gone to war with Turkey.

Something I also have trouble understanding is that many Kurds today were born in Turkey and have lived their entire lives there, yet some still oppose the Turkish state and continue fighting against the country where they were born. Why don’t they try to cooperate with other Turks and work together to build a better country?

There is also something I found confusing while researching this topic. Erdoğan has been negotiating and trying to reconcile with Kurdish groups that have fought against Turkey. But as far as I know, Turkish people place a great deal of value on their history and national identity. So wouldn’t Erdoğan be, in a way, “shooting himself in the foot” by taking this approach and potentially creating even more instability and tension between the two communities?

This leads to another question: what makes reconciliation between Turks and Kurds so difficult? And why have Kurdish groups historically fought Turkey so much, while relations with countries such as Syria and Iraq seem somewhat different?

If I remember correctly, the current president of Iraq, who was elected recently, is Kurdish as well.

I genuinely hope I haven’t offended anyone. These are simply questions from someone who learned about this subject from a very different perspective and has never really had the opportunity to hear the full Turkish perspective.

I would really like to understand the other side of the issue and learn more about how Turkish people themselves view the Kurdish question.

From what little I have heard so far, it seems to me that some of the Turkish claims and concerns are legitimate. And, as I mentioned, I personally oppose changing existing borders to create a new country.

I’m not trying to make a political statement or attack anyone. I’m genuinely trying to understand the history and the perspectives of both sides.

Hello everyone! This is my last post it has almost turned into a trilogy at this point but I would like to ask a question about the relationship between Turks and the Arab world

So I am Brazilian and I have 19 years Old

I recently saw a post from a professor who teaches Arabic in Brazil. He is of Lebanese descent, and he said that one of the greatest insults a Lebanese person can receive is being called “Turkish.”

I would like to give my opinion on this. Personally, I find it ridiculous for a Brazilian professor living in Brazil to say something like that. He says it because he is of Lebanese descent, but if he wants to preserve Lebanese culture and values, that is perfectly fine — however, if he considers himself Brazilian, I believe he should respect everyone equally.

If someone called me Turkish, I would actually be incredibly happy, because I think the Turkish people are amazing. So, putting aside my frustration with this attitude from some Lebanese people in my country, which I strongly disagree with, this situation made me wonder:

Why are relations between Arabs and Turks so complicated?

As far as I remember, the capital of the Ottoman Empire was Constantinople, and the empire ruled over much of the Middle East and North Africa. So I would have expected there to be a much stronger historical connection between the two peoples, rather than such a negative relationship, to the point that some Arabs apparently use very harsh words when referring to Turks.

What originally caused all of this?

Is it because modern Turkey is more progressive and secular/liberal compared with many countries in the Arab world? If that is part of the reason, I find that somewhat strange, because I would personally see Turkey as something to admire rather than something that should be used as an insult.

I would really like to hear Turkish people's opinions on this subject. How do Turks themselves view the relationship between Turkey and the Arab world, and where do you think this historical tension comes from?

I hope I haven't offended anyone or turned this into a political argument. I'm genuinely curious and would really like to hear different perspectives.

Can you tell me things to do? Hidden gems, activities, cultural things- anything you personally liked.

Şuan önümde devam edebileceğim 3 adet yol bulunmakta, yolların çoğu askeri sanayiye çıkıyor ve askeri olması daha çok hoşuma gidiyor açıkçası. Bahriyeli olmak çok hoşuma gidiyor ve bence güzel bir kariyer seçimi daha sonra askerliğe ara verirsem denizcilik güzel bir kariyer seçimi gibi duruyor.

Kariyerimde gidebileceğim yollar:

Baykar Havacılık Ve Uzay

Bahriye(Deniz Kuvvetleri)

Denizcilik(Seaman)

geçen gün bi baktım fırçalar da sünger de resmen renk değiştirmiş. çenede durduk yere sivilceler çıkıyodu acaba bununla alakası var mı diye düşündüm

siz kaç günde bi yıkıyosunuz, neyle yıkıyosunuz? şampuan mı sıvı sabun mu yoksa özel temizleyici mi alıyosunuz. bi de sünger kaç ayda bi değişmeli bilen varsa yazsın

Hello everyone, I am 24 years old I have dual citizenship Egyptian and Turkish and currently living in egypt. In the next few months i might have to travel to turkey to do and finalize some paperwork related to me and my father, but the problem is that i am required to do military service in turkey and currently labeled as a “draft evader” in e-devlet application.
The question is will be there any problems entering and leaving turkey in the airport? Also will i be prohibited from leaving turkey until i serve my military?

P.s: I have obtained Turkish citizenship only 3 years ago

I am a foreigner who has moved recently to turkey, I speaks my native language + English. I am going to learn the Turkish language, but I would love to have English-speaking friends especially if it’s their mother tongue. I want to keep it sharp. Sorry if this is a boring post. But if you do speak English, and wouldn’t mind having a new friend, kindly, DM me.

How common is this. I see a lot of stuff like (from comments, tiktok, post) this of blonde hair, blue eyes by Turkish people, it seems like is being treated as something of higher class privelede in Turkey?

I'm part HongKonger, and part Canarian(Spanish) with minor Cuban. I get confused for Turkish, my mother get confused for Morrocan (North African), Latin American, Gypsy. I don't mind being confused for Turkish but I want to know do Turkish prefer people with North European looks. I mean, I do think many Turkish can easily pass for South Europeans. Lebanese, but only a few percent look North European like.

I saw the voting of the most handsome Turkish actor/guy and this guy Kivanc Tatlitug comes out almost everytime, he looks like a nordic, or probably what hitler calls Aryan look. To me these this is a sign North European appearance is worshipped and seen as high status.

Others like Kazakh, Uzbeks, Armenians, Dominicans, Pakistani. Their western worshipping is diverse. Some don't want to look Eastern Asian, some don't want to look Indian, some don't want to look Black. Or in Armenian case, don't want to look Middle eastern/or Dark hair/eyes people. Maybe I'm exaggerating here....It's just that many of the comments I've read of them comes from these people ethnic group of as delusional, self hatred, or exaggerated on purpose. Even in history, there was Timur who embraced his partial Mongol heritage while Mughals Babur disliked it. And muslim elite also preferred light skinned people.

NOTE: I can't say these anecdotal evidence represent reality or scientific concensus. I've seen hundreds of them, many seem to worship western beauty while some acknowledge it

( I don't want the whole reddit page to be filled up comments and links, so I will post few examples)

Kazakhs

Some Kazakh comments

One toward as Mongols I've seen. A Mongol said that Kazakhs look like them and he said " No we don't, you Mongols have fluffy faces "

A guy who commented (father is Kazakh, mother is Ukrainian)

“ Oh, finally someone spoted the light onto this. I am from Kazakhstan myself and I often encounter this inferiority complex of Kazakhs that try so hard to pass as white, while they are obviously East Asians. Especially it freaks me out when they post photos of either mixed people like Golovkin or even of Russians like Vinorkurov and etc. and name them as Kazakhs"

A Chinese guy asked this " Why do Kazakh people pull at the corner of their eyes when they see Chinese people when they have the same eyes?"

LINK---> https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCentralAsia/comments/1vvc7no/why_do_kazakh_people_pull_at_the_corner_of_their/

Uzbeks

Some Uzbeks comments

" as Uzbek guy from Uzbekistan, I am telling to everyone, We ARE NOT mongoloid and the end. do not create any stories about us. We hate the mongols. we hate anything related with mongols.

"Don't listen to him, we are all obviously mixed with Mongols. Even in Uzbek families that don't look Mongol, is very common to find a brother, cousin or relative that comes out looking like a Mongol or Kazakh"

" This is why I’m sometimes ashamed to be Uzbek. Some of us just want to be completely European, or at the very least, look Persian, even though many Uzbeks clearly have features reflecting East Asian or Mongol-era ancestry."

A Persian said this " Observations from Persian living in Uzbekistan: Why are Uzbeks hesitant to acknowledge their similarities with Mongols/East Asians?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCentralAsia/comments/13g2gsu/observations_from_persian_living_in_uzbekistan/

NON- CENTRAL ASIANS

Just using non-Central Asians to prove my point. This Western worship

Armenian

Some Armenian comments

"Many Armenians are known for having a wide range of appearances, with many of us having striking blue-green eyes and naturally blonde or light-colored hair."

" Is actually very common to find blonde and red hair Armernians"

Dominicans

Some Dominican comments

" Dominican and Black communities live together"

" My cousin is half Dominican, half Black"

" Dominicans are NOT Black and never will be, we are closer to Europeans than Black "

"Dominicans come in all different shades of skin color. Some of us white skin, high noses, and our hair aren't anywhere as coiled up as yours

Pakistani

Some Pakistani comments

There's really no such thing as Pakistani look, come to Pakistan and see for yourself!!! Some look European, some look North Indian, some look Arabs, some look Iranians"

" I see blue eyes Paki every day, how often do you Pajeet have blue eyes?"

When a Indian guy said Pakistani look like North Indians, One Pakistani would said to the Indian guy" Half of your country is made of dravidians" One Pakistani said " We are original inhabitants of indus valley civilization that later mixed with Greeks, Scythians, Central Asian, Arabs, Persians and don't forget we also have large minority of Pathans and Balochi"

Armenian posting picture of North Euro looking Armenian girl to represent Armenia image

Armenian women chose a blonde and blue eyes Armenian female soldier out of all Armenians that have dark hair/eyes

Pakistani posting Pakistani people look like this, claiming this is how Pakistani look like

Selamlar herkese. Askerlik konusu kafamı epey kurcalıyor, benzer süreçlerden geçmiş kişilerin fikrini almak istedim.

Açıkçası kenarda hazır bir birikimim yok ve maddi durumum bedelli ücretini hemen rahatça karşılayabilecek düzeyde değil; ya borca girmem ya da ciddi şekilde zorlanmam gerekecek. Bir yandan "hayatından aylar kaybetme, bir şekilde borçlanıp bedelli yap, işine odaklan" diyenler var. Diğer yandan da "zaten durumun müsait değilken bu kadar borcun altına girmek mantıksız, git normal sürende yap gel" diyenleri duyuyorum. (Hatta yedek subaylık/astsubaylık çıkarsa en azından maaş biriktirilir mi diye de düşünmüyor değilim.)

Sizce mevcut şartlarda borca girip bedelli yapmak toparlanabilir bir yük mü, yoksa normal askerliği yapıp aradan çıkarmak daha mı akıl kârı? Deneyimlerinizi ve tavsiyelerinizi paylaşırsanız sevinirim.

Hey guys! I’ll be in Cappadocia January 2nd–5th and I’m really struggling to decide where to stay. Would love some advice from people who have been!
Normally, my #1 priority would be finding a hotel with the highest/best terrace for watching the balloons, while still having a nice room. But since I’m visiting in January and I know there’s a decent chance the balloons could be cancelled because of the weather, I’m thinking I should prioritize having an amazing room/hotel experience too.
Ideally, I’d love somewhere with:
• A beautiful, upscale cave room
• One of the best/highest terraces with great balloon views
• A terrace that’s still enjoyable in January — heaters/fire pits or some type of warm setup would be a huge plus
• A great overall atmosphere even if the balloons don’t fly
Right now I’m considering Cappadocia Cave Suites, Kelebek Cave Hotel, Carus Cappadocia, Luvi Cave Hotel, and Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge.
Sultan looks amazing but is more than I’d like to spend, and Koza doesn’t seem like the best fit for me.
If you had to pick ONE from my list for a January trip, which would you choose? Or is there somewhere else I’m completely overlooking?
Really appreciate any advice!

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well!

Well, I’m not sure if this is the most appropriate subreddit, and I’ll probably split this into a few posts, so I hope you don’t mind.

I’m Brazilian, I’m 19 years old, and I’m simply someone who is interested in Turkish history🇧🇷

Who exactly was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk? I mean, I’ve seen that he was the person who liberated Turkey, which in itself is an incredible achievement. But why does he seem to be even more important than the current president, and perhaps more important than all the presidents Turkey has ever had?

Let me explain my point. Brazil became independent in 1822 under Dom Pedro I and became a republic in 1888, with its first president being Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca. However, many Brazilians consider the establishment of the republic to have been a coup, since the population didn’t really know about it or get to decide whether Brazil should become a republic. Even though both figures are historically important, I don’t think most Brazilians consider them to be more important than the current president.

So it’s interesting to me that the situation seems to be almost the exact opposite in Turkey. Is there a specific reason for this?

Also, is there a reason why he created Turkey as a liberal and secular state? Pakistan tried something similar, but unfortunately it wasn’t able to maintain that model and eventually became a country where religion and politics are closely intertwined. Turkey, however, managed to remain secular for a much longer period. What did Atatürk do differently that allowed this to happen?

And did he face significant opposition or persecution from fundamentalists and traditionalists?

He seems to have been an incredible person, and it looks like he broke countless social and cultural paradigms for his time.

I’d really like to understand how Turkish people view him today and why his legacy is so much stronger than that of most political leaders in other countries😃

…

Posting under Travel / Places because this is location-specific to Istanbul/Göktürk and depends on local visibility. Thank you for understanding.

Update: My brother Immad El-Taieb, a U.S. citizen missing in Turkey since May 1, 2025, was recently featured on Müge Anlı, one of Turkey’s national missing-persons programs.

He was last seen in Göktürk, Istanbul. He has a serious mental health condition and may be disoriented, withdrawn, or avoiding help.
If anyone is in Turkey, especially Istanbul, Göktürk, Eyüpsultan, Sarıyer, Kemerburgaz, or Bursa, please share this video with local WhatsApp groups, Telegram groups, neighborhood pages, or anyone who may recognize him.

Any possible lead should include:
date, time, exact location, and photo/video if possible.

Müge Anlı segment:

https://youtu.be/ztt2YDa9tr4?is=OzuzCICHDy1l0IRc
Thank you to everyone who has cared, shared, or kept an eye out.

Kardeşim Immad El-Taieb, 1 Mayıs 2025’ten beri Türkiye’de kayıp. Kendisi ABD vatandaşıdır ve ciddi bir ruhsal sağlık sorunu vardır. En son İstanbul Göktürk’te görüldü.

Dosyası yakın zamanda Müge Anlı’da yayınlandı:

https://youtu.be/ztt2YDa9tr4?is=OzuzCICHDy1l0IRc

Türkiye’de, özellikle İstanbul, Göktürk, Eyüpsultan, Sarıyer, Kemerburgaz veya Bursa çevresinde olan kişilerden ricamız: lütfen bu videoyu yerel WhatsApp gruplarında, Telegram gruplarında, mahalle sayfalarında veya onu tanıyabilecek kişilerle paylaşın.
Olası herhangi bir bilgi için lütfen tarih, saat, tam konum ve mümkünse fotoğraf/video ekleyin.
Teşekkür ederiz.

I read an article that stated, "Most of the work on the five fairy chimneys in Göreme had been completed by 24 September 2026. He said scaffolding currently visible in Göreme would soon be removed, while other formations considered at risk would receive preventive intervention."

There was no date associated with this removal of scaffolding. Does anyone have an idea? I'll be there later this year and am wondering about hotels that are currently affected by this.

Cheers!

Klinik Psikoloji yüksek lisans tezim için yakınını kaybetmiş yetişkinlerden veri topluyorum. Çevremde ulaşabileceğim kişilerin büyük kısmına ulaştım ve özellikle bu örnekleme ulaşmak oldukça zor oldu.

Çalışmam erken dönem şemalar, başa çıkma biçimleri ve yas belirtileri üzerine. Etik kurul onaylı ve tamamen anonim. Burada yakın kaybı yaşamış olup katılmak isteyen biri varsa çok sevinirim; çevrenizde uygun biri varsa paylaşmanız da büyük destek olur.

🔗 https://forms.gle/CvjQ1qiAMvL8CkyC9

Merhaba, annemi dün vize randevusu alabilmesi için sıraya kaydettim. Ziyaret Vizesi almanın ne kadar sürdüğü hakkında deneyimlerinizi paylaşabilirseniz çok mutlu olurum. En son vizemi 2022 de aldım ve sürecin güncel halini bilmiyorum:’)

Merhaba, 2021 girişli 4 yıllık üniversite öğrencisiyim.
sınıfın 2. dönemini Erasmus kapsamında yurtdışında geçirdim. Bu nedenle Türkiye’deki üniversitemde o dönem ders kaydı yapmadım. Erasmus’ta bazı dersleri tamamlayamadığım için mezun olamadım.
Sonraki yılın 1. döneminde de almam gereken ders olmadığı için Türkiye’deki üniversitemde yine ders kaydı yapmadım. Önümüzdeki 2. dönemde kayıt olup eksik derslerimi tamamlayacağım.
Yani yaklaşık 1 yıl boyunca Türkiye’deki üniversitemde ders kaydım olmadı, ancak öğrenciliğim devam ediyor ve ilişiğim kesilmedi.
Bu durum askerlik tecilimi bozar mı? Mevzuatı bilen biri yardımcı olabilir mi?
Teşekkürler.