Approaches to Interfaith Relations in Turkey: Analysis of the State Policies and Challenging Interpretations Between Religious Universalism and Particularism
Abstract
Turkey is host to various interpretations of Islam. Although it is a predominantly Sunni society, there is a wide range of approaches to religious questions, such as where to stand between religious universalism and particularism.
This question has always been of crucial importance, much more so in the context of globalization, especially when Turkey's geopolitical position and its diverse population are considered. This paper aims to demonstrate the religious spectrum of approaches to interfaith relations in contemporary Turkey.
It looks at the state's monopoly of religious discourse on the matter and its different challenges, presenting the interpretations and beliefs of various religious groups, such as the Gülen movement, the Alevi community, and others. To make better sense of the current situation, it attempts to analyze how historical processes, starting from late Ottoman modernization, in terms of political, demographical, and social changes affected the religious spectrum with regards to interfaith relations and tolerance.
Moreover, the relationship between the state and Islam in different periods of Turkish history is also studied to determine the link between the state's position towards religion and the answers to the question of interfaith relations among the various interpretations of Islam. This article argues that throughout history, state policies on interfaith relations were dominated by pragmatism, and they did not reflect the ideological stance of the ruling elites regarding religion.