Zanzibar recalls fond memories of Turkey

DARESALAM, Tanzania (AA) In Zanzibar, the upcoming visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reminded many on the Tanzanian archipelago of their fond links to Turkey.

Indeed, many Tanzanians have been longing for Turkey, where they have been educated.

Nizar Abou Machano, 38, who graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy of Ege University in Turkey`s coastal city of Izmir about 12 years ago, says he expects a greater cooperation between Turkey and the East African state after Erdogan visits the country on Sunday.

After returning to Zanzibar, his homeland, Machano, who operates a chain of stores, opened a pharmacy and named it Izmir.

Even his car`s license plate reads "Dr Izmir".

- From the Bosphorus to the Rector of Zanzibar University

Idris Rai, vice chancellor of State University of Zanzibar, graduated from Bogazici University in Istanbul (1994-1998) and later went to Bilkent University in Ankara between 1998-2000 where he studied electrical and electronic engineering.

"We expect to receive support from Turkish President Erdogan to launch a business alliance between Turkey and Zanzibar`s higher education institutions," says Rai, who adds that eight different languages ​​were taught in the university and that the ninth language would be Turkish.

Rai also says that after Turkey, he went to countries like Britain and France for education purposes and noticed that Turkey had the best universities in the world.

- Eskisehir's kumpir, a fond memory

Ayse Makame graduated from Eskisehir's Osmangazi University's department of electrical and electronics engineering in 2006.

Makame says she misses the warm conversations she had with her friends in Eskisehir and had not forgotten the taste of the kumpir (baked potatoes) she had eaten. She tried to cook it but in vain... They were not as delicious as those enjoyed in Eskisehir.

"I sent the message to my friends in Turkey on July 15th, and prayed constantly for Turkey," she says, referring to the failed coup attempt that martyred 248 and injured more than 2,200 others.

Tanzania`s semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar was the capital city of Sultanate of Oman in the 19th century. It has a total population of about 1 million people.

Located in the Indian Ocean, the tiny island host thousands of tourists throughout the year.