At a time of rising Islamophobia concerning Muslims in Europe and the United States, Turkey looks to give a new home to Muslim scientists through new incentives

Istanbul is Turkey's financial hub, but it may also serve as a science hub as the government plans to pull in successful Muslim scientists from abroad. The Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology is preparing to roll out incentives, such as the establishment of laboratories and funding of scientific studies by scientists from abroad. This initiative will also seek to draw Turkish scientists who opted to work abroad, as Turkey has long dragged behind developed nations in terms of giving scientists a chance to pursue research. The ministry looks to draw accomplished Muslim scientists to Istanbul through funding and laboratories may also be provided in other Turkish cities in the near future. A science hub named "Information Valley" is already under construction in Gebze, a town neighboring Istanbul, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. The area will host research and development companies and "working spaces" for Muslim scientists from abroad. The government plans to upgrade laboratories at universities and to build new high-capacity laboratories. The Ministry of Science will also provide funds for scientific research.

Turkey already offers easy access to foreign academics looking to work at Turkish universities. A new program for employment launched last month saw a record number of applications in less than week. The Foreign Academics Information System (YABSİS), run by Turkey's state-run Higher Education Board (YÖK), enables foreigners to sign up for a database perused by Turkish universities. Academics can upload their resumes to the online portal, and universities with openings for lecturers can pick from among the applicants.