Turkish men are affectionate...with each other

If you know me, you know that I love observing dating, sex, relationships, and friendships.  I've discovered that Turkish men are quite affectionate with each other.  I don't see as many couples holding hands or canoodling, but I do see a lot of men with arms around each other and air kiss greeting each other.  In a purely platonic way.  The two men pictured below are linked arm-in-arm, and it's not an uncommon sight. 

I'm all for some male-on-male action, but I am curious as to why the affections aren't as emphasized with coed relationships.  I wonder if it has to do with the Islamic religion that dominates this country combined with the patriarchal society.  I know there has been a lot of gender modernization in this country in that last century, but it does not go without noticed that approximately 30% of the women are still covered.  Not something I'm used to seeing, but I do sense some gender changes similar to what went on (and has been going on) in China for the past decade. 

In the meantime, it's nice to find bromance taken to a whole new level!