Turks in France
Encyclopedia
Turks in France or French Turks are Turkish people
who have immigrated to France
. However, the term may also refer to French-born persons who have Turkish parents or who have a Turkish ancestral background. After Germany
, France is the main destination country for Turks who emigrate.
; the historian Ina Baghdiantz McCabe has described Marseille
as a "Turkish town" during this time. In Jean Marteilhe's autobiography, he stated that "…the Turks of Asia and Europe...of whom there are a great many in the galley of France, who have been made slaves by the Imperialists, and sold to the French to man their galleys… are generally well-made, fair in feature, wise in their conduct, zealous in the observance of their religion, honourable and charitable in the highest degree. I have seen them give away all the money they possessed to buy a bird in a cage that they might have the pleasure of giving it its liberty".
signed a bilateral labour recruitment agreement with Turkey
on 8 May 1965 because the number of entrants from other countries such as Italy
, Spain
and Portugal
was not sufficient. However, in practice, France started to recruit Turkish labourers in the 1970s, until a decision was made to halt the recruitment on 3 July 1974. By 1975 there was 55,710 Turkish workers living in France, and by 1990 it had almost quadrupled to 198,000. The majority of Turkish immigrants came from rural
areas of Turkey, especially from central Anatolia.
(especially in Paris
), Nord-Pas-de-Calais (mainly in the cities of Calais
, Lille
, and Roubaix
), Rhône-Alpes
(especially in Lyon
), Alsace
(mainly in Strasbourg
) and Lorraine
. There is also a large community in Marseille
.
estimated that 5,3 million foreign-born immigrants and 6,5 million direct descendants of immigrants (born in France with at least one immigrant parent) lived in France representing a total of 11.8 million and 19% of the total population in metropolitan France
(62,1 million in 2008). Among them, about 5,5 million are of European
origin, 4 million of Maghrebi origin, 1 million of Sub-saharan african
origin and 400,000 of Turkish
origin (238 862 immigrants born in Turkey and about 150 000 direct descendants born in France).
Solis, a marketing company, recently estimated the numbers for ethnic minorities (immigrants and 2nd generation) in France in 2009 as 3.26 million Maghrebis (5.23%), 1.83 million Black people (2.94%, 1.08 million Sub-Saharan Africans and 757,000 French from French West Indies
) and 441,000 Turkish (0.71%) .
According to the French census, in 1968 there was 8,000 Turks living in France, this had increased to 51,000 in 1975, 123,000 in 1982, 198,000 in 1990, and 208,000 in 1999. However, the French census only collects information based on the country of birth; thus, this only identifies the number of Turkish immigrants, and does not include their descendants who are born in France and are recorded as "French" rather than "Turkish". Furthermore, the Turkish population would be greater if naturalised citizens and illegal emigrants were also taken into account.
By the early 2000s, academics had estimated that the total Turkish population was between 450,000-500,000. Immigration flows from Turkey are currently increasing faster than flows from Algeria and Morocco. Thus, more recent estimates place the number of Turks between 500,000 to 600,000.
and ethnic identification is predominant within their culture. The Turkish culture is preserved by maintaining their language, religion, and marrying others within their community. Emphasis is made on the importance of speaking Turkish
within the family, especially whilst raising children. There is also a strong link between language and their religion, Islam
, for Turkish is used within mosques rather than French or Arabic. Furthermore, getting married and having a family is a significant part of their Turkish identity. Those within the community tend to marry other Turks, and exogamous marriages are relatively few.
is spoken exclusively at home by 77% of families whilst 68% of children speak French to one another. Turkish children are monolingual in the Turkish language until they start school at the age of 2 or 3; thus, they find themselves in everyday situations in which they have to speak French
with their peers. By the age of 10, most children become dominant in the French language. Nonetheless, even for those who use French more than Turkish in their daily lives, numerous studies have shown that they still emphasize the importance of Turkish as the language of the family, particularly for raising children. Thus, there is a high degree of language maintenance in the Turkish community; frequent holidays to Turkey, the easy access and use of Turkish media, and the density of social networks help maintain their language.
and focus on creating their own mosques and schools, most of which are tightly linked to Turkey. Thus, Turks worship their religion mainly with others within their community. Due to Turkish immigrants having a strong link to the Turkish state and much less knowledge of the French language, compared to other Muslim immigrants who have emigrated from French-speaking countries, Turks tend to build their own Turkish mosques and sermons are given in Turkish
rather than French
or Arabic
.
The Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DİTİB), which is a branch of the Turkish state Bureau of Religious Affairs (the Diyanet
), promotes a "Turkish Islam" which is based upon a moderate, rational Islam of a secular state. The Diyanet has organic links to the "Coordination Committee of Muslim Turks in France", or CCMTF, which brings under its umbrella a total of 210 mosques. Its major competing network of Turkish mosques is run by the Millî Görüş
movement which emphasizes the importance of solidarity of the community over integration into French society. The Millî Görüş has an estimated 70 Turkish mosques in France.
for the home country. For example, in 2010, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
stressed that assimilation
is different from integration
and urged the Turkish community in France to integrate by applying for French citizenship.
Naturalisation of Turkish citizens:>
Year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Persons
7,494
7,158
11,380
12,137
10,755
10,468
10,492
13,644
13,618
11,629
against Turks in French society is seen particularly within the labour market when they are looking for jobs. Given a choice between a Turkish and a French with the same qualifications, French employers tend not to choose the immigrant applicant.
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
who have immigrated to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. However, the term may also refer to French-born persons who have Turkish parents or who have a Turkish ancestral background. After Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France is the main destination country for Turks who emigrate.
Early Ottoman migration
The first Turks settled in France during the sixteenth and seventeenth century as galley slaves and merchants from the Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
; the historian Ina Baghdiantz McCabe has described Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
as a "Turkish town" during this time. In Jean Marteilhe's autobiography, he stated that "…the Turks of Asia and Europe...of whom there are a great many in the galley of France, who have been made slaves by the Imperialists, and sold to the French to man their galleys… are generally well-made, fair in feature, wise in their conduct, zealous in the observance of their religion, honourable and charitable in the highest degree. I have seen them give away all the money they possessed to buy a bird in a cage that they might have the pleasure of giving it its liberty".
Modern Turkish migration
FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
signed a bilateral labour recruitment agreement with Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
on 8 May 1965 because the number of entrants from other countries such as Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
was not sufficient. However, in practice, France started to recruit Turkish labourers in the 1970s, until a decision was made to halt the recruitment on 3 July 1974. By 1975 there was 55,710 Turkish workers living in France, and by 1990 it had almost quadrupled to 198,000. The majority of Turkish immigrants came from rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
areas of Turkey, especially from central Anatolia.
Demographics
The majority of Turks are mainly concentrated in eastern France. There is a strong Turkish presence in Île-de-FranceÎle-de-France (région)
Île-de-France is the wealthiest and most populated of the twenty-two administrative regions of France, composed mostly of the Paris metropolitan area....
(especially in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
), Nord-Pas-de-Calais (mainly in the cities of Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
, Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, and Roubaix
Roubaix
Roubaix is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is located between the cities of Lille and Tourcoing.The Gare de Roubaix railway station offers connections to Lille, Tourcoing, Antwerp, Ostend and Paris.-Culture:...
), Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes is one of the 27 regions of France, located on the eastern border of the country, towards the south. The region was named after the Rhône River and the Alps mountain range. Its capital, Lyon, is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris...
(especially in Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
), Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
(mainly in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
) and Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
. There is also a large community in Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
.
Population
As of 2008, the French national institute of statistics INSEEINSEE
INSEE is the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies. It collects and publishes information on the French economy and society, carrying out the periodic national census. Located in Paris, it is the French branch of Eurostat, European Statistical System...
estimated that 5,3 million foreign-born immigrants and 6,5 million direct descendants of immigrants (born in France with at least one immigrant parent) lived in France representing a total of 11.8 million and 19% of the total population in metropolitan France
Metropolitan France
Metropolitan France is the part of France located in Europe. It can also be described as mainland France or as the French mainland and the island of Corsica...
(62,1 million in 2008). Among them, about 5,5 million are of European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
origin, 4 million of Maghrebi origin, 1 million of Sub-saharan african
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
origin and 400,000 of Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
origin (238 862 immigrants born in Turkey and about 150 000 direct descendants born in France).
Solis, a marketing company, recently estimated the numbers for ethnic minorities (immigrants and 2nd generation) in France in 2009 as 3.26 million Maghrebis (5.23%), 1.83 million Black people (2.94%, 1.08 million Sub-Saharan Africans and 757,000 French from French West Indies
French West Indies
The term French West Indies or French Antilles refers to the seven territories currently under French sovereignty in the Antilles islands of the Caribbean: the two overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the two overseas collectivities of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, plus...
) and 441,000 Turkish (0.71%) .
According to the French census, in 1968 there was 8,000 Turks living in France, this had increased to 51,000 in 1975, 123,000 in 1982, 198,000 in 1990, and 208,000 in 1999. However, the French census only collects information based on the country of birth; thus, this only identifies the number of Turkish immigrants, and does not include their descendants who are born in France and are recorded as "French" rather than "Turkish". Furthermore, the Turkish population would be greater if naturalised citizens and illegal emigrants were also taken into account.
By the early 2000s, academics had estimated that the total Turkish population was between 450,000-500,000. Immigration flows from Turkey are currently increasing faster than flows from Algeria and Morocco. Thus, more recent estimates place the number of Turks between 500,000 to 600,000.
Birth rates
Although the birth rates among Turks living in France has declined over the years they remain substantially higher than the French population. In 1982, the average number of children for Turks was 5.2, compared with 1.8 for the French population. By 1990, the average number of births for Turks was 3.7 compared to 1.7 for the French population.Culture
For the Turkish community in France, their nationalNation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
and ethnic identification is predominant within their culture. The Turkish culture is preserved by maintaining their language, religion, and marrying others within their community. Emphasis is made on the importance of speaking Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
within the family, especially whilst raising children. There is also a strong link between language and their religion, Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, for Turkish is used within mosques rather than French or Arabic. Furthermore, getting married and having a family is a significant part of their Turkish identity. Those within the community tend to marry other Turks, and exogamous marriages are relatively few.
Language
In 2000, Akıncı and Jisa found that TurkishTurkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
is spoken exclusively at home by 77% of families whilst 68% of children speak French to one another. Turkish children are monolingual in the Turkish language until they start school at the age of 2 or 3; thus, they find themselves in everyday situations in which they have to speak French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
with their peers. By the age of 10, most children become dominant in the French language. Nonetheless, even for those who use French more than Turkish in their daily lives, numerous studies have shown that they still emphasize the importance of Turkish as the language of the family, particularly for raising children. Thus, there is a high degree of language maintenance in the Turkish community; frequent holidays to Turkey, the easy access and use of Turkish media, and the density of social networks help maintain their language.
Religion
The majority of Turks adhere to IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and focus on creating their own mosques and schools, most of which are tightly linked to Turkey. Thus, Turks worship their religion mainly with others within their community. Due to Turkish immigrants having a strong link to the Turkish state and much less knowledge of the French language, compared to other Muslim immigrants who have emigrated from French-speaking countries, Turks tend to build their own Turkish mosques and sermons are given in Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
rather than French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
or Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
.
The Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DİTİB), which is a branch of the Turkish state Bureau of Religious Affairs (the Diyanet
Diyanet
Diyanet is a Turkish word for office or authority for Islamic, religious affairs.* Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı* Diyanet İşleri Türk İslam Birliği...
), promotes a "Turkish Islam" which is based upon a moderate, rational Islam of a secular state. The Diyanet has organic links to the "Coordination Committee of Muslim Turks in France", or CCMTF, which brings under its umbrella a total of 210 mosques. Its major competing network of Turkish mosques is run by the Millî Görüş
Millî Görüs
Millî Görüş has been called one of "the leading Turkish diaspora organizations in Europe". Founded in 1969, the movement claimed to have "87,000 members across Europe, including 50,000 in Germany," as of 2005...
movement which emphasizes the importance of solidarity of the community over integration into French society. The Millî Görüş has an estimated 70 Turkish mosques in France.
Marriages
There are relatively few marriages outside of the Turkish community, prospective spouses are generally looked for in Turkey rather than the immigrant community; a French survey in 1997 found that 98% of females and 92% of males within the immigrant community married someone from Turkey.Integration
The Turkish community is considered to be the least integrated immigrant community in France, largely due to their strong attachment to their country of origin. However, there is increasing recognition by Turkish officials that without successful integration the immigrant community cannot lobbyLobby
Lobby may refer to:* Lobby , an entranceway or foyer in a building* Lobbying, the action or the group used to influence a viewpoint to politicians* Lobby , a thick stew made in North Staffordshire, not unlike Lancashire Hotpot...
for the home country. For example, in 2010, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 and is chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party , which holds a majority of the seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Erdoğan served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He graduated in 1981 from Marmara...
stressed that assimilation
Assimilation
Assimilation may refer to:*Assimilation , a linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to an adjacent sound...
is different from integration
Integration
- Sociology and economy :*Social integration*Racial integration, refers to social and cultural behavior*Economic integration, refers to trade unification between different states*Educational integration of students with disabilities*Regional integration...
and urged the Turkish community in France to integrate by applying for French citizenship.
Naturalisation
Discrimination
DiscriminationDiscrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
against Turks in French society is seen particularly within the labour market when they are looking for jobs. Given a choice between a Turkish and a French with the same qualifications, French employers tend not to choose the immigrant applicant.
Organisations and associations
- Comité de coordination des musulmans turcs de France, the coordination committee for Turkish Muslims in France is linked to Turkey.
- "Fransa Türk Federasyonu", the French Turks Federation.
- "Migrations et cultures de Turquie" (ELELE), promote knowledge of Turkish immigration and helps to assist the integration of Turkish migrants into French society.
- "Le Groupement des Entrepreneurs Franco-Turcs" (FATIAD), the leading business association created by Turks living in France.
- Réseau Pro'Actif, A professional network created by second and third generations of Turks in France. It gathers graduates of the country's leading universities.
Media
Radio France International (RFI) has been broadcasting in Turkish since 1971. RFI programming in Turkish had become a steady factor since 1971, when broadcasts in Turkish were aimed at Turkish immigrants to France who did not yet speak French. The Turkish programming provided Turkish immigrants with news about social and cultural events, as well as information on daily life in France. Following the announcement of the end to RFI's Turkish programming, some labor union representative said that they saw RFI's decision as "reprisal" against Turkey.See also
- List of French Turks
- Demographics of FranceDemographics of FranceThis article is about the demographic features of the population of France, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects....
- France–Turkey relations
- Franco-Ottoman allianceFranco-Ottoman allianceThe Franco-Ottoman alliance, also Franco-Turkish alliance, was an alliance established in 1536 between the king of France Francis I and the Turkish ruler of the Ottoman Empire Suleiman the Magnificent. The alliance has been called "the first non-ideological diplomatic alliance of its kind between a...
- Franco-Turkish WarFranco-Turkish WarThe Franco-Turkish War or Cilicia War was a series of conflicts fought between France and Turkish National Forces directed by Turkish Grand National Assembly from May 1920-October 1921 in the aftermath of World War I...
- Turks in EuropeTurks in EuropeThe Turks in Europe refers to Turkish people living in Europe. According to a 2011 academic estimate, there is approximately 9 million Turks living in Europe, excluding those who live in Turkey....
Further reading
- Böcker, A. (1996), “Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Migration from Turkey to Europe” Boðaziçi Journal Vol. 10, Nos. 1-2.
- Cahiers d'Etudes sur la Mediterranée orientale et le Monde Turco-iranien (1992), special issue on Turkish immigration in Germany and France, Paris: Centre d'Etude des Relations internationales, n°13.
- Cahiers d'Etudes sur la Mediterranée orientale et le Monde Turco-iranien (1996), special issue on Turkish migrant women in Europe, Paris: Centre d'Etude des Relations internationales, n°21.
- Les Annales de l'Autre Islam (1995), special issue on Turkish diaspora in the World, Paris: Institut national des Langues et des Civilisations orientales, n°3.