Okay, if you forgive me, I felt like writing a lot on this topic since I have been doing a lot traveling in the region and reading about the history in the region. Please do share your thoughts. I might learn even more.
Being from the US, I try to see and understand the European region and its "extensions" a little bit better to the best I can when I travel the whole region. So, to my understanding:
1- Turkish people are not European people, generally speaking, but there are a lot of people with European features in Turkey who might very well be ethnic Bosnians, who are slavic Muslims, as well as Macedonians and Albanians. BUT, let us not forget that "Europe" today is not the Europe centuries ago. Ottoman Empire was not only an Asian and Middle Eastern power, but also a European power. They were a lot more powerful people compared to the people on their West up until 17th century. To my readings, they were ahead of today's Europeans in social and all other sciences, state management and efficiency, etc. Thus, they were much more powerful and ahead.
2- I have been in Bosnia and other muslim regions in Balkans. People do not complain about their being Muslims and they do not believe that they were forcefuly converted to Islam by Turks. (By the way, this is only region where I have seen people deeply loving their conquerers, unlike Indians rules by British, etc) They claim that Turks made Islam available in the lands conquered and not forced people to conversions. Especially Bosnian Muslims highlight that after the Turks had left the region they were left alone and their rich and developed Christian European neighbors in Europe just did not even condemn the ethnic cleansing and massacre that was done by other Christians, Serbs and Croats, during the Bosnian war in between 1992-1995.
3- Having English, Italian and German blood in me, as an American, I was quite interested in learning how the Christian Europe was in the middle ages and how my ancestors were. They were not merciful at all. Anti-semitism, opression of churchs, crusades, etc. That is why I was born in America, in the land of free. Regular people were under tight control and opression of lords, the big land owners, the church, the kingdom etc. When we look at the beautifuly architectured old towns in Europe, if we think that everyone were enjoying that beauty and richness we are just wrong. That part of the cities were only for elites. Other people were like slaves in Europe. If you look at Muslim Turks back then, they were in a lot better shape socially. There were equality in society. That is why Islam was spread so rapidly in the region. But later in 17th and 18th centuries, Ottomans became corrupt and weaker, while European Christians moved forward with science and arts.
So, having said this all, I think I have a better understanding of how poeple act and react to conditions around them. Look at all Arab countries. They are run by bunch of idiots who are called kings or presidents who are elected by over 90 percent of their people in elections. We all know how the elections are there, right? As a voter, you have to right your name and address on the ballot. And who support these regimes such as Saudi Arabian royal family. I feel bad as an American, but we do. Why? For our own interests. We say that Saudis are not letting their women drive, they are not democratic people, etc, but we do not invade Saudi Arabia. Why? Because interests are under control. But we do go after Saddam to whom we gave support in the past. I never understood Muslim people before I started traveling the region. I came to a conclusion that it is not Islam that is violent, but people. They have nothing to lose in Palestine for example, because they have nothing for themselves left under the Israeli occupation along with unquestioned full American support. So, let us not blaim religions for the things that are happening in the world. Christians, Muslims and Jews, they all make mistakes.
Could I live with Muslims? Well, I guess the answer is no to a certain extend. Not because of their religon, but they are generally not very easy going people as we are in the West, but it is their Eastern culture. They have hard traditions to follow.
Should they be allowed to Europe? Well, only Turkey is there as a Muslim country and neighbor to Europe. Why not? I understand that there will be a some cultural clash, but Turks are people who adapt.
As far as the Russia is concerned, Russia is a big country. Very very big and with a population of 140 milion. It is almost impossible to Europe to digest this. But I think, Russians are adapting the western lifestyle and systems, too. It just takes time.
Thanks for reading this long reply on this topic. I would love to hear your thoughts and learn.
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