” “"Turkey’s accession to Europe will not be complete unless the country and its history are morally and spiritually welcomed in the European fabric". It was stated this morning at Gazzada (Varese) by Salvatore Bono, lecturer at the University of Perugia and president of the Société internationale des historiens de la Méditerranée, as he spoke at the European week organised by Fondazione ambrosiana Paolo VI about the "Religious history of Islam in the Balkans". "The current ‘spectre of the Turk’, as the fear of the integration of Turkey in the European Union, cannot be interpreted but in relation to the overall image of Islam". "The influence and the presence in Europe of the Turkish, by which we mean the Muslims who have extended their rule over the Mediterranean Arab world between the XVI and the XVIII century commented the scholar seem to be more widespread, deeper and more significant that one generally is aware of". An ignorance that leads to prejudices but the political class endorses "because changing one’s attitude about such clichés can undermine consensus". "Can the relation that Europe has had with the Turks lead to a conflict between civilisations?", wondered Bono. "Yes, if one just thinks of battles and fears. But there’s been more than that". So today, just like in the past, this is not the real feature of the relation between Europe and the Arab world: "To understand that he concluded one should just be willing to look at history, understand it better and then be brave enough as to move on".” “
