I monthly host 2-3 people of various sexually and socially oppressed minority groups in Turkey, ranging from queer individuals, Syrians, refugees, Jews, and Armenians to Kurdish people. I try to shed light on the systematic subjugation and suppression of these minorities by the Turkish population and government. All of these minorities are frequently denied fundamental human rights, and their progress in society is hindered simply because of their ethnicity or religion. By making the stories and hardships of these minorities known to the public, this podcast aims to change the world's and the Turkish public's perception of minorities, ultimately contributing to creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and progressive country.
Episode 25: Tragedies and Triumphs of Bosnians in Turkey
In this powerful episode of Alienated Voices, Talha shares his family’s harrowing journey as Bosnian refugees who fled the war and genocide of the 1990s. While they have found success in Turkey, running a thriving textile business, their displacement was not a choice—it was a means of survival. Talha reflects on how xenophobia and Islamophobia ignited the conflict and how his family carries the trauma of torture and loss. He also highlights the ongoing displacement of people worldwide, emphasizing that no one should be forced to leave their homeland to escape violence and persecution. The episode urges listeners to recognize that while refugees may succeed, the cost of losing their home and culture is immense, and speaking out against injustice is essential to ensuring “never again” truly means something.
6 Sept 2024
Episode 24: The state of the Syriac community within Turkey
Today, my guest was Gül, a Syriac woman living in Turkey. She shared her experience growing up in Turkey as a Syriac. Having a double identity has undoubtedly shaped her upbringing. She mentioned that the Syriacs are generally welcomed positively within the Turkish community, mainly because they have not been as demanding and persistent in their minority rights as other significant groups like Armenians or Kurds. Therefore, mentioning Syriacs does not trigger any negative emotions in Turkish people. However, this assimilation into Turkish society has drawn the partial eradication of some of the cultural and historical treasures of the Syriac community. She believes that we need to enact greater measures to defend and preserve the Syriac culture and community by promoting more intra-marriages between Syriac people and seeking the support of UNESCO.
31 Aug 2024
Episode 22: A clash of the east and west - An Izmir-born Syrian Woman
Today, my guest was Esma Efendi. She is a Turkish-born Syrian Anchorwoman working at TRT Arabic. Her mother is Turkish and from Izmir, while her father is Syrian. Her background spans two completely disparate cultures and identities. She was at the clash of the East and West all from the beginning. She is extremely knowledgeable about The Syrian civil war and its political, social, and economic ramifications. She has experienced many incidents of discrimination and structural segregation. She has tried to preserve and protect many forgotten traditions of the Syrian culture that are overlooked in Turkey. We discussed some difficult topics regarding the massive influx of migrants and the ongoing state of instability in both Turkey and Syria. We hope our two countries can set aside their differences and find a common ground for peace.
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