Two major US media outlets (the New York Times & PBS) recently profiled a fast booming Turkish economic region with its unique blend of religious adherence, entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and regional/global success.
Focusing on the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri with a population of 1 million, the profiles point to this region as 'Evidence that Islam and Capitalism Can Coexist.'
The NYT piece had a great quote from Ahmet Herdem, the mayor of Hacilar, a town of 20,000 people in central Anatolia, who said, "In European countries, workers take a 15-minute smoking break; here we take a 15-minute prayer break." This adherence to faith coupled with strong work ethics and an entrepreneurial spirit has led the region to produce some of the best-known Turkish companies (17 of the Top 500 Turkish companies of 2005 are from this region.) These include global players such as Orta Anadolu (a large denim producer), Boydak Holding (a giant conglomerate with the largest Turkish cable factory), and Istikbal (one of the largest furniture manufacturers in Turkey with a global presence).
To put this environment in context, European sociologists have compared this to the 'Protestant Ethics' practices of Christian business communities of the past, and more recently labeled these entrepreneurs 'Islamic Calvinists.'
Ofcourse, such an environment should be of no suprise to Muslims. Trading and business has always been an integral part of the Muslim identity, with the Prophet (PBUH) and many of his companions themselves being successful traders. The faith encouraged trade and profit, albeit in a just manner. People from other Muslim communities can certainly learn from this successful manifestation today by the entrepreneurs of Kayseri who are competing globally while applying their faith as a means of strength in this day and age of modernity.
Btw, we had previously profiled MUSIAD, a Turkish business association, most of whose members are part of these Central Turkish business communities.
I'm glad with this development ...but I wish some of Turkish companies do investment in Malaysia and Indonesia because that region have a lot of resoures and as a strategic region which bridge east and west.As I wish Turkish companies share some technologies and skill with companies fron that region to built strong Muslim companies
Posted by: Mumby Muhamad | September 02, 2006 at 05:57 AM