Turkish Cypriots

Turkish soldiers stationed in Northern Cyprus celebrate Armed Forces Day, a Turkish holiday. Ankara has used religious institutions to alter the cultural identity and practices of the secularized Muslim community that inhabited Cypruse prior to Turkey's 1974 invasion of the island. The methods used by Turkey to impose its will on secularized Muslims on Cyprus are similar to the methods Islamic rulers have used to control and transform non-Muslim communities in the Middle East and elsewhere throughout the world.
Dhimmitude Project
The Transformation of Turkish Cypriot Identity: State-Sponsored Islam, Human Rights, and Dhimmitude
As Ankara Expands the Role of Islam in Northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots Fight to Preserve a Secular Identity Forged over Generations.
August 28, 2026
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Nicoletta Kouroushi
A Turkish flag is visible on a mountain behind Nicosia, in the occupied part of northern Cyprus.
Middle East Forum Observer
Washington Should Support Turkish Cypriots in Their Struggle Against Turkey
Turkish Cypriots Have Voiced Opposition to Ankara’s Efforts to Dominate the North’s Political, Economic, and Cultural Life
November 14, 2025
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Nicoletta Kouroushi