Somalis in Turkey: A quick breakdown

[Siikawe]

When I was in Istanbul, I was also asked if I was Arab but maybe it's because I'm Reer Xamar. I mean Syrian Arabs don't look too different from Turks, so I was like wth.

I was asked if i was Nigerian.

 

[TekNiKo]

I’ve been here for a while now and asked Somalis living there as well as Turks about the situation, realising this.

1. The stories regarding Somalis and Turks is largely political. Somalia is largely regarded as Erdogan’s pet project in Turkey and his opponents see Somalis as a symbol of Erdogan’s preoccupation with foreign affairs.

2. There are a lot of Somalis there. Like a lot. Tourist areas, shopping malls and generally upscale areas have a lot of Somalis. In Izmir, I saw three Somali ladies in baati and a puffer jacket running in the city centre.

3. Somalis in Istanbul live in two areas: Aksaray, which is not too far from the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sofia and in New Istanbul, which is where the housing developments and mall of Istanbul is located.

Fob Somalis live in Aksaray and Diaspora Somalis live in New Istanbul but it’s not uncommon to see fobs in new Istanbul and diaspora walking around Aksaray.

Aksaray, Yusuf Pasha are my favourite areas. Did you visit the Eminoum area I loved taking those boats back and forth across the Borph.

 

[Periplus]

Aksaray, Yusuf Pasha are my favourite areas. Did you visit the Eminoum area I loved taking those boats back and forth across the Borph.

I went there once for lunch but I didn’t really explore the area.

 

[Djokovic]

Beenta jooji you blackie

Why would I lie about that u nerd