Conclusion and further research

This research attempted to give a comprehensive approach to the case of the Muslim minority of Western Thrace as a part of EVS project YOUth Can Do It.

The intention was to channel the locals’ voice while adding academic and EU research and an objective outlook to understand the different layers that compose the society of Komotini.

First, information about what a European Voluntary Service is, was presented, illustrated by different videos on the website and a list of project tasks on the hard copy.

Secondly, a brief description of the study and the aims of this work introduced the topic itself.

Thirdly, the methodology used and the limitations to the research were outlined.

Fourthly, a historical overview of Western Thrace, underlining the most significant moments of history for the Muslim minority was accounted.

Moreover, drawing on all the interviews and survey results, an analysis on a series of different topics was undertaken, with further research or academic data and EU research to support it.

To start with, the demography of Komotini and the status of the Muslim minority that are key factors in making Komotini and Western Thrace a special place, were introduced.

Furthermore, an overview of the different opinions regarding the relations between the Orthodox and the Muslims of Komotini was given which enabled to engage with the topic of historical trans-generational trauma as a key element to the current relations between the minorities.

After, a brief overview of all the currently internationally recognized discriminating policies the Greek State imposes on Muslim minority was outlined.

The topic of religion was then explored, by giving a presentation of both dominant faiths in Komotini and drawing parallels between them.

The current political climate of Western Thrace was presented. The difficult Greek and Turkish relations, the tense current debates that touch upon the Greek economical crisis and the application of sharia law in Western Thrace were explored.

Some of the reasons for the Muslim minority’s identification to Turkey and the current problems they face in regards to Greek identification was briefly explained.

The role of the EU as an aid to the minority, in regards to economical development, rights protection and what is expected of them in the future was discussed.

Afterwards, details about the minority school system were clarified and the issues they face were outlined, while finishing by insisting on the importance of dealing with these for a better integration of the minority in Greek society.

Finally, with the help of participants’ suggestions, a set of initiatives and recommendations to help further research, engage active participation and promote integration of the Muslim minority in the society was offered.

I can only finish by giving my own personal conclusion while I was trying to grasp the complexity of this region. It has been such an interesting experience that I embraced with passion and a great appetite.

What I can conclude and leave behind is that the people of Komotini and more generally of the region of Western Thrace carry a rich yet heavy burden of history that continues to surface on the micro and macro level, through people’s opinions and interactions as well as through discriminative policies and a disassociation in economical and social spheres. Nonetheless, people here are warm, curious and respectful. They have shown so much interest in getting to know me and the other foreign volunteers from System and G. From the point of view of a born traveller I can say it’s rare to meet such welcoming people. And these qualities transcend any sort of border that religion or language has sometimes set. All people of Komotini that I have met regardless of their background hold these qualities. Thus, I urge them to use these qualities to get to know one another. This trans-generational trauma that lingers in the locals’ lives should be acknowledged and expressed in order to repair the past wounds and move forward as a more united community.

Thus, I advise the local organisations and the local government to start putting into practice the recommendations and initiatives stated here, as these are the locals’ suggestions and this is what they hope for the future of Komotini. Let’s promote the diversity of Komotini and make it an asset for all on a cultural, economical and social level through active participation, European awareness, tolerance and inclusion of all communities.

More generally, as stated along the study, further research is necessary especially in areas such as politics, identity and religion to understand in more depth the complexity of this society. I hope however that the information collected here can help as a basic model of instructions on all the different layers of the society that I tried to uncover.

In addition, I wish this work will attract the attention of EU institutions, whose research, values and recommendations were extensively used to illustrate my project. Moreover, I hope this will help them to get a fresh and hands on perspective on the current situation of the Muslim minority of Western Thrace.

Furthermore, I hope this project will help to promote research and investigative work as a part of what one can do through European Voluntary Service. It is an unusual form of Voluntary Service but my wish is that this work will prove that it is a possible way to help local communities and conduct voluntary work as a part of one’s career plan in a different way. Thus, I hope this inspires many more young people and organizations to take on this sort of work as a viable option for EVS.

Finally, I trust that the reader will appreciate the accessibility of this research as it takes on different forms (PDF, Webpage, Videos, Facebook page) in order to touch as many people as possible, not just on the local level but also on the international one. This research was also made to engage in a dialogue where one can react to the project, ask questions, learn more, teach others and promote research as an interactive platform to promote change.