Shalom Alaikum

It is indeed good news that the Jews of Turkey are so considerate towards their Muslim countrymen, so as to share their culture. It would be good, if the Muslim Turks, also reciprocated this gesture, and shared their culture with their Jewish countrymen. The Muslims of Turkey, are supposed to be the most liberal, and progressive of their community, so it is reputed. It would be a disaster, if they were alienated from their Jewish countrymen. Turkey has a similar Islamic heritage as Iran. Turkey was, I believe, a seat of the Caliphate, as was perhaps Iran. Perhaps, I am blissfully ignorant.

I'm so heartened by this effort of the Turkish-Jewish community to reach out to their fellow Turks. I lived in Istanbul for 5 years, and was touched repeatedly by the warm feelings I encountered between Jews and Muslims. Turkish Jews and Muslims by and large lived compatibly for almost 500 years under the Millet system of the Ottoman Empire. And while Ataturk created a modern state in which all Turkish citizens would build a nation, he would turn over in his grave if he could see the poisonous divide that modern nationalism has created.