CURRENT MID-EAST CONFUSION BRINGS HISTORIANS BACK TO OTTOMANS
Zaman Online, Turkey
Sept 9 2006
The Middle East experienced its most peaceful and glorious years
during the Ottoman Empire.
Lands sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews enjoyed peace and comfort
for nearly 400 years.
However, the region has not experienced such stability and harmony
since the fall of the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago.
With the recent crises in the Middle East, historians have focused
their attention on the Ottomans.
With the forthcoming 15th Turkish History Congress (TTK) to be held
next week, 750 foreign experts have submitted statements and articles.
Responding to Zaman’s questions, Prof. Yusuf Halacoglu, chair of
the Turkish History Council, said: "That the lands in the Middle
East previously belonged within the domains of the Ottoman Empire
encourages historians to study more."
Foreign scientists are eager to present their statements on Turkish
history during the 15th TTK.
Only 350 of the statements have been approved in the congress.
The participation demand derived from increasing curiosity about
Turkey and the Ottomans from historians.
Halacoglu remarked that they had to reduce the number of historians
from 750 to 310 due to the limited time.
The chair of TTK noted that the participants know both the Ottoman
Turkish language and contemporary Turkish.
During the congress, the presentations will cover several different
topics, and experts will be able to express their views freely,
Halacoglu stated.
Controversial issues like the Armenians and missionary work will also
be discussed in the congress.
Halacoglu claimed there might also be people backing the Armenian
genocide, and added, "They should base their claims on firm ground
because we have our own information to refute their claims."