While the discussion over Turkey Citizenship subject is being tackled in various platforms, Syrians indicated that they had some reservations about accepting ‘citizenship’.

Speaking to ILKHA, Syrian lawyers, engineers and teachers stressed that they have reservations about the citizenship; in case of attaining citizenship the matters of military service, health, job opportunity and possession must be clarified.

“I want to be a Turkish citizen but I refrain from encountering some problems”

Voicing that he has some drawbacks to take citizenship, Syrian lawyer Muhammet Azzo said: “I am 37 years old. I graduated from Faculty of Law. I want to be a Turkish Citizen but I boggle over encountering some problems. I did my military service in Syria for two and a half years. Will I do military service in Turkey, too? If we are asked to do so then there may occur some problems. Another issue that concerns me is that now we can go to hospitals without paying anything. But what will happen when we are accepted to citizenship? SGK (Social Security Institution) will demand premium. To afford these premium debts we have to work or have opportunities to run our own business. Will we be assisted on these issues?”

“I worked as a lecturer at Raqqa Euphrates University”

Another Syrian told us about his reservations about taking citizenship, Ahmet al-Jabir said: “I am a chemistry teacher; I worked at Raqqa Euphrates University for two years. Then I had to come to Turkey. I also have some reservations about citizenship. For example; if I am granted a license to be a teacher in Turkey, will I be able to go back to my country if the war ends? Will these rights be revoked if I go back to my country or will they be reserved? Will I be able to go to Syria to visit my family? Provided that I resided in Syria; will I be able to bear both citizenship of Turkey and Syria? I just want these questions to be clarified.”

“I have many friends certified but sitting idle at home”

Indicating that the military service issue must be clarified, Heybet Velid Ahmed said: “I came here 4 years ago. I graduated from Faculty of Agriculture in Syria. I had to come here. I never gave up studying although we always had the risk of being shot by a bullet. We have some shortages here such as covering rent money, electricity, water expenses. I have many friends certified but sitting idle at home and doing nothing. I also concern about the question of doing military service here. I think it would be fine if we are granted citizenship. We even cannot go to Hajj. But we can go to Hajj if we have Turkish citizenship.” (ILKHA)