Transnational Migration and The Role of Religious Education in Social Adaptation: Example of Ahiska Turks in Erzincan Üzümlü

Abstract

The sinister fate of Ahiska Turks started with the 1829 Treaty of Edirne. They have been exiled many times since the Stalin era and subjected to oppression and persecution both in their homeland and in their exile areas. Finally, in 2015, after the internal turmoil and conflicts in Ukraine, Ahiskals were placed in Erzincan Üzümlü district. Even though they are Turkish nobles and Muslims, difficulty arose during the adaptation process of Ahiska people to Üzümlü as in any immigration. In this study, the role of religion and, more specifically, religious education in the social cohesion process was discussed through the example of Ahiskals in Üzümlü. Based on the cultural and social cohesion indicators of Castles, the data obtained by using qualitative method and semi-structured interview and participant observation techniques were analyzed by discourse analysis method. Castles' research shows that religious unity and especially the environment in which religious education is studied play an important role in the cultural cohesion process of two different societies. The social adaptation and integration of the Ahiska people as they establish their belonging to the Turkish society and to Üzümlü in particular, has revealed the importance of religion and religious education. Similarly, the negative thoughts of the local people towards the people of Ahiska, such as access to opportunities, inequality of opportunity, have changed positively through religious education. Finally, the fact that the role of religious education in social cohesion has not been addressed in any study before reveals the original value of the study.

Ni̇tel Desenli̇ Göç Araştirmalarinda Yöntem Sorunlari

“…Bununla birlikte bazı çalışmalarda, örneklemden elde edilen verilerinin doygunluğu konusu okurda şüphe uyandırabilir. Örneğin, çalışmaları kapsamında on (10) Ahıskalı Türk ve fakat beş (5) yerel katılımcı seçen Koyuncu ve Şimşek (2020), çalışmalarında göçmenlerden 10 kişi ile görüşme yapıp doygun veri elde ederken yerli halktan 5 kişi ile görüşme yapmış ve nasıl doygun veri elde ettiği belirsiz kalmıştır. Dolayısıyla bu örneklemden elde edilen verilerin, güvenirliğine dair soru işaretleri bulunmaktadır.…”