Ottomans were my last game in 1.02. By the end of the game I had united all the arabs in the world, had some land in Southern Austria and had the rest as a satilite minus the land my ally Germany took (They got conservitive empire, had half of France as a satilite (Germany annexed the other half, including Paris:O, when I satilited them). Had the highest industry score in the world (outproducing the 2nd, a civilised China, by over 1200) and the 2nd highest population in the world after China. Oh, and I was making 5000+ a day with spendign maxed out and no tariffs. The only reason I didn't satilite Russia was Partisans being a pain in the ass. Ottomans are great fun to play. 
In the beginning it's important to reseach railroads and the tech that lets you build factories (Free trade? Raf's site will tell you). Keep armies ready to repel Russia as they will be attacking you a lot, but in peace time annex Egypt and Oman (Opium sells well) and maybe the North african minors since they are mostly arab. Colonize north and west africa (will be harder in 1.03). When your cores are industrialised you can grant statehood to your colonies and start annexing the arab minors on your borders. Maybe take Persia too since it has nice resources.
In the beginning it's important to reseach railroads and the tech that lets you build factories (Free trade? Raf's site will tell you). Keep armies ready to repel Russia as they will be attacking you a lot, but in peace time annex Egypt and Oman (Opium sells well) and maybe the North african minors since they are mostly arab. Colonize north and west africa (will be harder in 1.03). When your cores are industrialised you can grant statehood to your colonies and start annexing the arab minors on your borders. Maybe take Persia too since it has nice resources.