A book chapter by our faculty member, Research Assistant M. Mustafa İyi, titled "The Diasporization Experience of the Turkish Community in Belgium," has been published in the Belgian Turkish Diaspora Atlas, released by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in July 2026.
The chapter examines the historical development of the Turkish diaspora in Belgium following the 1964 Türkiye–Belgium Labour Recruitment Agreement. It explores how temporary labour migration gradually evolved into a permanent diaspora through family reunification and chain migration, while also providing an overview of the contemporary structure of the Turkish community in Belgium.
The study analyzes the Turkish diaspora in Belgium through a five-dimensional analytical framework developed by the author: distinctiveness, orientation, preservation, organization, and participation. Using this framework, the chapter discusses the role of mosques, civil society organizations, settlement patterns, and intergenerational continuity in shaping and sustaining diasporic identity. The chapter shows that the Turkish community in Belgium has become an integral part of Belgian society while maintaining strong social, cultural, and emotional ties with Türkiye. By applying an original analytical model, the study offers a valuable contribution to the literature on diaspora studies and the Turkish diaspora in Europe.
We congratulate our faculty member, Research Assistant M. Mustafa İyi, on this important academic achievement and wish him continued success in his future research.
