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Finally, people of Kosovo struggle to gain independent realised, thus becomes the only Muslim-majority nation in Europe. Despite its claim as embrcaing the “laid-back” version of Islam, some of its neighbors feel “unsafe”. Considering many factors, this pre-conceived notion is understandable.
That’s said, I think the existence of independent Kosovo is good to let European people in to more understanding towards Islam and that Muslims, many of them, just like any other who are busy to make a dissent living for themselves and their family. Every single Muslim represent a mozaic of Muslims as a whole, it’s NOT a homogeneous entity as one in other parts of the world might or is led to think.
February 21, 2008 at 3:31 am
Turkey is not considered europe?
February 21, 2008 at 5:10 am
I was just about to say what Rani has said. I think Kosovo is not the only Muslim-majority nation in Europe. Turkey is there as well.
@Rani and Indra: Well, geographically half of Turkey is europe, another half Asia. Militarily, Turkey is a member of NATO. from this regard yes, Turkey is one of European nation. Politically and culturally, however, european big countries still half-heartedly conceive this country as a part of them some Turkish are Kurdish. It still struggles to be recognized as a EU member -> this is the most important as far as i’m concerned. see my op-ed here http://afatih.wordpress.com/2005/04/30/impian-turki-dilema-eropa/ an old piece but is till relevant up till now.
Kosovo, meanwhile, geographically and culturally is Europe. we need to see if all europe big countires recognise Kosovo as independent nation will there be a hindrance of its entry into EU member as Turkey does. if it’s the case, it’s only religion, ie. islam, that becomes the only reason of its rejection. it will also be a test case to the european opennes to their democratic values which adovates equality and against discriminatory treatment on racism and religious basis.
February 21, 2008 at 11:07 am
I guess Kosovo’s majority people are a Catholic.
About Turkey, Europe Union is reluctant to admit it as an european nation. Besides afraid of the difference of its religion, I think Europe also considered Turkey as a half Asian nation, not full europe.
#you may need this link for further reference on the country -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo
February 21, 2008 at 8:20 pm
When BBC showed Turkish people demonstrated against the re-permission for moslem students to wear headscarf in university, my heart breaks..
i guess, many of the Turkish are Islam KTP
#tell u what, in Turkey you’ll find it difficul to perform prayers in public places. student / teaching staffs in university will encourage you NOT to do shalah in campus. that’s what my turkish friend once told me.
February 22, 2008 at 1:05 am
I agree with mulia, if turkish just an Islam KTP nation. I hope Kosovo people will can change europe opinion about moslem
February 22, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A good post is one which incites controversy. So, let’start by saying that of course everybody is entitled to see it the way he/she wants it too see.
However. Too much religion to my taste in this one.
Over and over again Kosovo claimed independence from Serbia because they are Albanians. Not because religion is/was the big issue here. Fortunately not. Unfortunately in the civil war in Bosnia-Herzegowina it was.
Living in the very South East it may seem Turkey belongs to Europe. And one may think that, if the EU hesitates about the country’s membership of the EU, it has to be about the 80 million Muslims in that country.
But, living in the North West of Europe myself, I differ of opinion. Well, I can see Istanbul is a Western, casus quo European, part of Turkey. But that’s not the case with Anatolia. Let alone the more remote parts of Turkey. Their values are different, their habits are different, their culture is different, their economy is different, their history is different, their political system is different.
It may amaze some, but objections against Turkey’s membership at this moment, often are not those which people who tend to define the world in religious concepts, may think.
#Colson, I love your comments, every bits of it. Really do. Thanks.
February 24, 2008 at 2:27 am
Colson, i agree with you about Turkey. I think mas Fatih, some how is being too sensitive about religion issue. As i get from BBC and Times, its more about the economic of the country.
But on Kosovo, this time the independence is admnitted by USA, France and Great Britain. Thats all they need. Though Serbs are going to bring this case to the UN, it will never work unless they can lobby at least one of these countries. Therefore i think, this time its gona be different.
I personally also dont see Kosovo as a significant moslem region. The Albanish i met, almost none of them practicing Islam. But i respect their believe, when they still say they are moslem. The thing is, as one can be Jew by descendance or Christian by nationality.., one can also be moslem for the same reason. In Indonesia, many are being moslem because they must identify their religion in the age of 17 *pertama bikin KTP.
Mas Fatih, i think kapan kapan you should write about this new rapidly growing phenomenon, Islam KTP and the Indonesian neo-agnotism..hehe
#
I dont think so Mulia. I’ve elaborated the issue in my oped piece (bahasa indonesia). see the link above.
February 24, 2008 at 3:23 am
Kosovo…. Is it the new Taiwan? why don’t u discuss about this instead..?
February 27, 2008 at 5:37 am
well as a moslem i’m happy to hear that kosovo has finally declared its independence, but as an Indonesian i’m a little bit worried about this, just think what if Aceh or Ambon do the same…well anyway I would congratulate to the people of Kosovo
February 28, 2008 at 10:59 am
Aslkm…
Kosovo and Turkey is the best
February 29, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Bosnia Herzegovina is the first moslem freedom nation in europe, isn’t it? everything happens to Kosovo Right now is same with BosHeg few years ago, the different is BosHeg got the Freedom throught a sadistic war, Kosovo didn’t, The Population Of BosHeg almost 100 % Moslem, I have no Idea about The Population of Kosovo. but, The Kosovian must be proud and happy to got their freedom.
April 1, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hungary finally and surprisingly recognized Kosovo Independece, I am wondering what would happen to 200.000 Hungarian minorities in Vojvodina which sometimes had already been treated badly. Vuk Jeremic had criticized Hungary for this and stated that those who supported Kosovo independence could not expect to have a good relation with Serbia.