The Tatar people have lived in settlements all across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union since the Middle Ages.
The Tatars traditionally espouse the Sunni branch of Islam and have historically enjoyed a close relationship with Turkey and other Muslim peoples in the nearby Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia. The Tatar language is also part of the Turkic family, sharing traits with Turkish, Azerbaijani and Turkmen—spoken in Turkmenistan and parts of Syria.
Crimea has been home to a vibrant Tatar community for over 1,000 years, during which the peninsula has been governed by many rulers. Crimean Tatars have lived as …read more
Source: Newsweek
