The first issue of TPQ in 2004 focuses on religion and politics, specifically in terms of both the worldwide debate on the relationship between Islam and democracy and the role religion plays in Turkey’s quest for EU membership. Nowadays many of both Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy concerns involve religion in some form or another, for better or worse. As a candidate for the EU, Turkey anticipates beginning negotiations for full membership following the EU’s December summit in 2004. It is well known that some in the EU view Turkey’s membership as unlikely because of the Muslim population that is perceived to constitute a risk to the identity of the Union. Please click here to read the text in full.