Why did the success of some Armenian merchants and professionals cause resentment among some Muslims?

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Uncovering the history of the Armenian Genocide — Armenian Genocide Overview of the history and controversy surrounding the Armenian Genocide.

The resentment among some Muslims toward successful Armenian merchants and professionals in the Ottoman Empire stemmed from the prominence and influence of this well-educated, cosmopolitan elite.1

This success created a perception that Armenians were a "foreign element" within the empire. This suspicion was further fueled by the fear that this influential group would eventually betray the Ottoman state to establish an independent Armenian nation. Consequently, the visibility of the Armenian elite became a source of both suspicion and social tension, contributing to the broader atmosphere of anxiety that preceded mass violence against Armenians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.12