Religion and Secularism in Turkey: The Dilemma of the Directorate of Religious Affairs

• Published in: Middle Eastern studies Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 389 - 399
• Main Author: Ulutas, Ufuk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01-05-2010; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Abolition; Church and state; Dilemmas; Government; Government Agencies; History and sciences of religions; Imams; Islam; Islamic Law; Islamism; Koran; Laicism; Law; Middle Eastern studies; Mosques; Prayer; Prime ministers; Public sector; Reform; Religion; Religion & politics; Religions; Secularism; Turkey; Turkey; Religion; Institution; Reformation; History; Secularism
• ISSN: 0026-3206; 1743-7881
• DOI: 10.1080/00263200902899812

The current study aims to examine the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) from its formation in 1924 through to the present day, and attempts to place the Diyanet appropriately in the context of the prevailing perplexity over state-religion relations in Turkey. It questions Turkish-style secularism and examines the responsibilities, power, and limits of the Diyanet. The Diyanet has undertaken responsibility for making the state's control over religion visible through sermons and publications, helping the state gain legitimacy among religious people. Meanwhile, it has been the Achilles' heel of the republican regime in the sense that religious people found employment in it and some considered this as a way to influence the laicist state from inside.