Before adopting Islam Turks living in Central Asia, where they find their origins, followed Shamanism. Once the Ottoman Empire consolidated its power, it dedicated itself to the enhancement of the Islamic faith and values, though for centuries people of different religions or from different ethnic groups coexisted peacefully and harmoniously in Anatolia.
Religious freedom is accepted throughout the Republic of Turkey, just as it was during the Ottoman period.
Although the majority of Turkish people continue to be deeply attached to the Islamic faith and traditions, they live side by side in harmony with their fellow citizens of different faiths, mainly the Christians and Jews – the legacy of Turkey's centuries old diversity.
As a natural outcome of centuries-long peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious identities, today Christian and Jewish shrines are preserved and respected in line with the Islamic tradition of tolerance.
Today, there are more than 5000 sacred Muslim, Christian and Jewish sites in Turkey.
As this is a country that has embraced peoples of diverse culture and faith during its long history, many of these religious places have been restored.
