Although more and more Turks in Germany are learning how to speak German, a language problem exists due to the Turkish media's lack of knowledge of German. Most Turkish journalists follow German media from Turkish translations and vice versa for German journalists who don't know Turkish. This problem increases the importance of people and institutions that function as a bridge between the two peoples and takes us to another problem that poisons Turkish-German relations: the language problem. Speaking to my German colleagues, I came to realize the effective role a person whose name I had never heard up until then plays on bilateral relations. They mentioned a few Turkish names that the German public respects. Among them, the name of Necla Kelek drew my attention. Kelek had apparently played a big role in shaping the German perspective on many issues, ranging from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to Ergenekon. Having won awards for books written in the German language, sociologist Kelek's line of thinking -- according to my impression based on how my German colleagues described her -- is similar to names such as Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul deputy Nur Serter and journalist Hikmet Çetinkaya. Of course the German public opinion is unaware of this and believes Kelek's approach is an objective reflection of the average Turk. I did a little background research on Kelek and came across a very interesting perspective. In a book she wrote in 2002 titled “Islam in Everyday Life” (Islam im Alltag), Kelek describes Islam as a religion that makes it difficult to have harmony in Germany. Furthermore, not only does she insult Islam and the Turkish family structure in her book titled “Foreign Bride,” but she's told the media that there is no restriction for Muslims on eating pork and has made an appeal to have Islamic male circumcision considered a crime for attempting to wound a person.Kelek is also among the architects of the infamous and controversial “Conscience Test” that Muslims applying for citizenship would have to take. Given that Kelek was victimized by both her Turkish father and German husband, it is understandable that she has such feminist ideas. To a certain extent, it's also normal that despite appearing to be a part of Turkish society, she insults Muslim values and is supported by some fanatic German groups. What is unfortunate is that someone with such marginal views is seen as almost an arbitrator on issues pertaining to Turkey.
It is no surprise that a link between Ergenekon and Germany emerged considering the web of political relations between Angela Merkel, a particular media group, the AK Party and the Deniz Feneri (Lighthouse) case.
For the atmosphere I have been trying to describe in my last two articles leads to the creation of such a perception in people's minds even though there is no concrete evidence to suggest such a link. It is no secret that there are groups in the West that see the reduction of the military's effect as a threat and have professed that democracy cannot be achieved in Turkey without military pressure. We also know the paradigms of such people were rattled when a political party with Islamic roots assumed the leadership of democratization. The absence of a link between Ergenekon and the archaic mentality in Europe is a violation of the rules of nature. Isn't it odd that some Europeans have the tendency to see the first-ever trial of coup planners as a crime?
If we want to repair relations here is a list of the steps that need to be taken.
1) It must be acknowledged that relations are going downhill and factors leading to this must be boldly analyzed. 2) Each side must display the maturity to recognize each others' values. Germany must try to understand Turkey, which is undergoing a massive change by refraining from using stereotypes. 3) Both sides must see that they cannot easily give up on each other. 4) They must avoid making bilateral relations a tool for domestic politics. 5) They should have more direct contact with media and nongovernmental organizations, and shady media relations should be dropped. 6) People who act as bridges between the two peoples should be selected carefully. 7) Turkish politicians need to send messages supporting harmony in Germany and the benefits of having political meetings in stadiums should be reviewed. 8) When suspicion emerges related institutions need to make an immediate announcement instead of waiting for doubts to increase. 9) Taking the effects of Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç's sincere statements into consideration, measures to prevent the AK Party and the Deniz Feneri case from being exploited should be taken. 10) The sides should not be overly concerned with each other's weaknesses.
