Faith and Friction:

The Influence of Religion in Shaping Turkish Views on Immigration

Hasan Ali Yilmaz

 

Abstract: Migration has been one of the most significant challenges faced by humanity throughout history. Since 2011, the number of immigrants coming to Turkiye has increased significantly due to the Syrian Civil War and other regional conflicts. This situation has brought the issue of migration to the forefront in Turkiye and has influenced perceptions of immigrants. This research aims to understand the role of religion in shaping views on immigration. The perspective on the choice to migrate raises questions about the impact of Islam, which upholds minority rights and promotes altruistic values, such as generosity and hospitality, on the perception of immigrants. However, within the historical context of the Republic of Turkiye, the secular segment harbours negative perceptions of Islam, which could extend to unfavourable views of Muslim emigrants from Syria. The research will be conducted using the document analysis method and a qualitative research approach. Through the analysis of these documents, the research aims to identify the influences of Islam on the perception of immigrants. This note seeks to understand both the positive and negative effects of religion and uncover the underlying factors behind these influences.