From Turkish Daily News Nov 17, 2007
"Technology has helped to promote the Baha'i religion; their culture is becoming increasingly well known and their voice is being heard both in Turkey and around the world. But they frequently face problems from the lack of information about the faith and inaccurate public images of the religion. In other words, they live with the problems and disadvantages of being a religious minority in Turkey. They want to be explored and understood correctly, and they welcome any kind of consultation, one of the fundamental doctrines of Baha'is, so that others may learn about the faith.
Between the 1960s and 1990s, Baha'is in Turkey could state the name of their religion in the religion section of their identity card via court decision. In 1990s the Interior Ministry introduced a new standard code system according to which all religions were encoded. However, since no specific code was given to Baha'i faith, Baha'is who tried to renew their registration were asked to identify themselves as other religions in the religion section. In the 2000s the code system changed again so that Baha'is had to register as empty.
This faith has existed for 100 years. We have no money, no power. We don't lobby or deal with politics. What make us strong are the principles that we all long for. We believe, apply the principles to our own lives and then spread them. This religion has all that humanity needs in practice,said Professor Cneyt Can, Director of the External Affairs Office of the Baha'i Community in Turkey......................
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