Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a study of the views and historical interpretations of those who conceive themselves to be most mis-recognized by the Turkish Republic. It begins with an emblematic account of two suburbs in Istanbul and their varying responses to the shaming of the Turkish flag. The book examines the production of alternative localities in the suburb of Kuzguncuk, Istanbul’s oft-proclaimed ‘last heaven’. It explores the boisterous orders of Islamist and Republican carnival, before returning to Kuzguncuk and the question of its relative autonomy. The book looks more closely at the Kurdish problem, including the various ways it might be conceptualized. It describes the damning self-analysis, by those Islamists concerned enough to ponder it, of the reasons for Turkish Muslims being so lax in showing their solidarity with Kurdish Muslims in Turkey.