Letter: History textbooks in Turkish schools

Dear ICN,

I note your article on textbooks being used in Turkish schools.

See: ICN 16 September 2014 Turkey: Current textbooks portray Christians as enemies of Ottoman state www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25548

Could I please make the following points:

1st; these are history textbooks - it is a hundred years since the Ottoman Empire ended. They are describing historical situations. The Armenian massacre, dreadful though it was, and Western policy at the time, are being  described as things were, then.

2nd; there are, in today's Turkey, very many friendly links with modern Armenia. I am sure that Turkish children will be learning along these lines. The Prime Minister, Mr Erdogan, is actively encouraging friendly  links with all Turkey's neighbours, as far as possible - without  encouraging extremists. (He has eight countries, of different faiths and political ideologies, on his boundaries.) He himself opened the joint Faith Park at Belek near Antalya, where Christian church (regular Masses), a synagogue and a mosque stand side by side, and hold joint meetings.

Friendliness with Armenia is high on his domestic agenda.To give one example, there is a Turkish/Armenian joint orchestra which gives regular  concerts.

3rd; it should be remembered that Turkish state education is secular. No faith of any kind, not even Islam, is allowed to be taught in Turkish state schools, by law. This was one of Atatürk's reforms in the 1920s and 1930s.

4th; there are, I am sorry to say, a group of Armenians, particularly in the USA, who wish to emphasise the massacre. We all know it was a terrible thing, but what you quote in school textbooks, is quoted as historical facts. Modern Turkey is geared to bridge building. It is not easy.

Hope this helps. If we accuse others of bias, then we need to see things in context, in case we ourselves are also being biased.
 
I am a Catholic who has been visiting Turkey for 21 years. I have never encountered any prejudice or difficulty whatsoever. The kindness and friendliness of this delightful people are paramount.

Yours sincerely

Jan Wood