Kralamoonard
Member
Hey all,
So basically, I have never traveled to Turkey before, and I have always wanted to go on holiday there as I hear Istanbul is a beautiful place (from people that have visited there), and I thought, after I finish my exams, I can go with my brother and his friends on holiday to Turkey as they will be going so I thought I could just tag along.
I will be going next Tuesday for one week, however, the events that have unfolded in the country in the past 6 months have made me slightly concerned about our safety (we booked the tickets before the most recent attack at the Istanbul airport). I understand that no place is safe, and that accidents and attacks can happen anywhere to anyone, but the fact is, there is a slightly increased risk of attacks in the region. I try and not be paranoid, but honestly, you can't help but be at the very least concerned.
It also doesn't help that I'm a Muslim teenager (and my brother and his friends are in the early twenties), and of course, people will say, you shouldn't have anything to be scared of if you have nothing to hide, and obviously that is true, but some of my friends have said to me don't be surprised if you're questioned at the airport, or even put on a watchlist lol. It took me by surprise initially, but thinking about it...
...I kinda get that and I don't blame security for being on edge -- you have unfortunately you have had Muslim families and teenagers who go to fight in Syria from the UK, which is a shame for people who want to legitimately go there on holiday, so there has been extra scrutiny placed on travelers to Turkey who are Muslim coming from other countries. However, there is also that fear that you maybe wrongly profiled or unjustly treated. Has anyone here, Muslim or not, been questioned in the airport? I mean I haven't but I just want to prepare myself in case it does happen, which it wouldn't surprise me if I do.
I don't know, maybe I'm just talking rubbish, and should just enjoy the holiday. I just hope everything goes smoothly when I visit. Maybe anyone from Turkey here on GAF can help inform me about the situation there?
So basically, I have never traveled to Turkey before, and I have always wanted to go on holiday there as I hear Istanbul is a beautiful place (from people that have visited there), and I thought, after I finish my exams, I can go with my brother and his friends on holiday to Turkey as they will be going so I thought I could just tag along.
I will be going next Tuesday for one week, however, the events that have unfolded in the country in the past 6 months have made me slightly concerned about our safety (we booked the tickets before the most recent attack at the Istanbul airport). I understand that no place is safe, and that accidents and attacks can happen anywhere to anyone, but the fact is, there is a slightly increased risk of attacks in the region. I try and not be paranoid, but honestly, you can't help but be at the very least concerned.
It also doesn't help that I'm a Muslim teenager (and my brother and his friends are in the early twenties), and of course, people will say, you shouldn't have anything to be scared of if you have nothing to hide, and obviously that is true, but some of my friends have said to me don't be surprised if you're questioned at the airport, or even put on a watchlist lol. It took me by surprise initially, but thinking about it...
...I kinda get that and I don't blame security for being on edge -- you have unfortunately you have had Muslim families and teenagers who go to fight in Syria from the UK, which is a shame for people who want to legitimately go there on holiday, so there has been extra scrutiny placed on travelers to Turkey who are Muslim coming from other countries. However, there is also that fear that you maybe wrongly profiled or unjustly treated. Has anyone here, Muslim or not, been questioned in the airport? I mean I haven't but I just want to prepare myself in case it does happen, which it wouldn't surprise me if I do.
I don't know, maybe I'm just talking rubbish, and should just enjoy the holiday. I just hope everything goes smoothly when I visit. Maybe anyone from Turkey here on GAF can help inform me about the situation there?