Part of us
What will become of the German-Turkish relationship? Following the incarceration of both German journalist Denis Yucel and human rights activist Peter Steudtner, alongside many other journalists and a multitude of people from all walks of life, it is hard to see how things could be much worse.
Moreover, in a bid to create an ethnically monotonous society, the Turkish government has also reinvigorated the persecution of the country′s Christian minority, confiscating property owned by the church.
So how should Germany react? There has been much controversy in the Christian majority country about imams deployed from the Turkish motherland to preach in Germany: what message are these government-sponsored clergyman preaching to their flock in predominantly Christian surroundings? Is it one of conviviality or division?
Some of Germany's biggest industrial companies briefly appeared on a list forwarded by the Turkish government to Interpol, apparently for sponsoring terrorist activities in Turkey. Only after increased pressure from Berlin – such unfounded allegations might lead to a drop in German investment in Turkey, etc. – did Ankara withdraw the list.
These days labelling something as terrorism would seem justify all means to an end for the Erdogan regime. It should not be forgotten that they have yet to furnish any proof that the Gulen movement was behind last year′s military coup. Furthermore, Erdogan′s offensive against the Kurds – creating an enemy within the country′s borders – may also be regarded as scapegoating in a bid to secure victory in April′s referendum. In his eyes, those who oppose him, including the Kurds, are all terrorists.
Caught in the middle
These are difficult time for Europe′s Turkish minorities. They enjoy the liberal societies of the West with all their freedoms – freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion – while at the same time their family members in Turkey may be deprived of all these basic civil rights.
The rhetoric of the Turkish leader is now urging them to become an outpost of his interest in the Western world. Unsurprisingly, Erdogan subscribes firmly to the belief ′once a Turk, always a Turk′. Like all populist leaders, he does not believe in multiple identities. Yet many of those of Turkish origin in Germany are likely to feel Turkish, Muslim and German at the same time.
As Harvard professor Jocelyne Cesari points out in her work "Why the West fears Islam″, such multiple identities are quite common among immigrants of the third generation in Europe: it is possible to feel German and Turkish at the same time. Moreover being a Muslim does not mean you are against Christians.
To be frank, however, Germans too have had their problems coming to terms with the idea of multiple identity. People born and raised in Germany in the third generation can still find themselves being asked where they "are really from". Germany is currently at a crossroads: it needs to accept that people have several loyalties and their families roots in many different parts of the world.
Germany′s multiple identities
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel was therefore right to address Germany′s Turkish-German community, emphasising that the current issues and confrontations are solely to do with the Erdogan regime and not with the Turkish people. It should be remembered that half of Turkey′s population did not vote for Erdogan or the change in the constitution that has put paid to the proud democracy established by Ataturk and paved the way for autocracy.
Some Germans may have been astonished by the minister's move. In this twenty-first century world, however, it is right to acknowledge that the identity – correction, identities – of a group like the Turkish-Germans may well become the rule rather than the exception.
Alexander Goerlach
© Qantara.de 2017
Alexander Goerlach has conducted research in the field of politics and religion at both the University of Harvard's Center for European Studies and the Divinity School. Holding PhDs in linguistics and in comparative religion, he is a senior fellow to the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and an op-ed contributor to the New York Times. Alexander Goerlach is also founder of the media-initiative www.saveliberaldemocracy.com