Turkish Society: Brief Overview

Ottoman Turkey was governed by the Islamic religious law- Shari’a. Ataturk (Mustafa Khemal), adapted the republican Turkey to a westernized life style. Though alcohol is forbidden by Islamic law, many Turks drink and don’t mind others drinking alcohol. But they revere the moral and spiritual teachings of Islam, and observe its customs. Liberal and westernized attitudes are seen mostly in the urban centres of the west and along the coasts, between upper and middle classes. The working and farming classes, especially in the east, are more conservative. The Turks are religiously tolerant people.