ABSTRACT
Before the Soviet period, peoples of
Turkic origin attributed iýnportance to Islamic identity and therefore this identity was
more important than ethnic identity for them. The effects of this identity on people was
regarded as dangerous by Tsars and USSR, and to overcome this, Russification, policies of
divide and rule, oppression, massacres and deportations, anti Islamic propaganda and
prohibitions were used as ýnethods of fighting against Islam. Although it is possible to
argue that Islam was not removed completely, the impact of Islam was undermined to a large
degree that it remained only as a term used by people to identify themselves. Also peoples
of Turkic origin began to identify themselves with the domestic nationalities. Although
nationalisation process still continues in these republics, tribes and ethnic groups are
still important and political structure is largely based on tribe base. This situation
constitutes a potential danger that can threat domestic peace.
With the end of USSR, repression on Islam
was diminished and Islaýnic identity started to regain its strength in the Central Asia,
Caucasus, and the areas like Tatarstan and Chechenstan in the Russian Federation. In
contrast to the past, newly independent Turkic republics began to regard moderate Islam as
an assistant factor that helps nation building, can take a positive role in establishing
brotherhood among citizens and assist in regional peace. Common Islamic culture prepares a
suitable psychological base for developing relations between Turkey and Turkic Republics.
Summits taken place among presidents of Turkic Republics, student exchange program,
investments of Turkish businessmen, modern collages opened by Turkish state and Turkish
businessmen in these republics, comýnon TV broadcasting and Turkic republics' decision to
adopt Latin alphabet, are milestones in developing relations between Turkey and Turkic
republics.