Turk in United Kingdom

Introduction / History

The first Turks came to England in the 1500s as mercenaries hired by King Henry VIII. Others settled in England after British pirates freed them from Spanish slavery. For the next 200 years there was interaction between British and Ottoman Turkish sea merchants, but very few Turks settled in Great Britain at that time.
There were Turkish immigrants who came from Cyprus after the Ottoman Empire dissolved at the end of WWI. They usually worked in the garment industry. Later their families joined them to form a small Turkish Cypriot community.
Throughout the 20th century, there were ethnic Turks who came to the United Kingdom, first as students, but they stayed to take up professional jobs. Turkish people who had businesses and restaurants encouraged more Turks to come work for them. These people also brought their families. There were also those who were like the “guest workers” who migrated to Germany and France, but few of these came to England.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Family life is very important for Turkish people. Most want to marry and raise children.
Parents try to keep their children culturally Turkish. For that reason, they send their children to Turkish schools to learn their music, dance, art forms and cuisine. In general, the second generation acts “Turkish” with their older generation but adapts to British ways outside the home. This has proven to be a major conflict between original immigrants and their offspring. They younger generation is trying to fit in with British society but feeling rejected by their parents. Many turn to drugs or suicide.
Turkish women are in a state of transition. They once played a nurturing role, keeping house and helping the family business. Not feeling supported by their husbands and sometimes facing domestic abuse, women are learning English and entering into the greater job market.
Socializing is important for traditional Turkish men. Coffee houses are places where men meet to visit and talk politics or business in the Turkish language. They are fully aware of political developments in Turkey. Not trusting the British media, older Turks have their own network of Turkish language newspapers and radio programming. Turks also regularly travel to Turkey for extended stays, a factor that impedes integrating into British society.
Commonly, Turkish families prefer to have their sons take up the family business rather than pursue a college degree. Some Turkish men and women are doctors, lawyers, architects or engineers. Others are employed in agricultural sectors, living in villages and using natural resources to earn a living.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Turks are nominally Sunni Muslim, believing in one god (Allah), and an eternal heaven and hell. "Sunni," is derived from the Islamic term, sunnah, which means "well-trodden path." Sunnis believe that the correct path is that of the majority. Therefore, the tradition of the Sunni is political conformism, though the Turks have been more flexible than many of their Muslim neighbors. Other Turks are more secular in their beliefs, though they visit the mosque for special events. Some also hold to pre-Islamic beliefs as well.

What Are Their Needs?

Turkish people in UK need disciples to share the truth of God's Word with them. Although they live in the country where the Bible used to be foundational, Turks have no knowledge of its contents. They need people whom they will trust to tell them the truth. They need the opportunity to hear about Jesus, the Son of God who loves them, wants to forgive them from their sins.

Prayer Points

Pray for Turkish families in the U.K. to learn the Bible together and follow Christ's ways.
Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Europe.

Text Source:   Joshua Project