Islam in Turkey: What Threatens Secularism | World Events – Estimates and Forecasts from Germany and Europe | DW

The head of the Turkish Directorate for Religious Affairs (Diyanet) Ali Erbas is known for his conservative interpretation of Islam and views that for many Turks are no longer up to date. The fact that Airbus blamed homosexuals and those who decided to divorce for the COVID-19 pandemic was just one of his dubious statements that caused a flurry of criticism. Nevertheless, since 2017, Airbus, as the main Islamic authority, has played an increasing role in Turkish society.

His loudest performance was the opening ceremony of the mosque in Hagia Sophia in July 2020, which he hosted. During his Friday sermon, Airbus carried his sword. The gesture, which is based on the Ottoman tradition, outraged part of the society. Many saw this as a deliberate departure from the republican heritage of Turkey.

Quran Study Courses for Preschool Children

Since then, Erban has become the most important voice of the country’s conservative forces. Now the Department of Religious Affairs under his leadership requires that children aged 4 to 6 attend compulsory courses in the study of the Koran before school.

Airbus at the opening ceremony of the mosque

To achieve this goal, negotiations are underway with the Ministries of Education and Science. Meanwhile, many were critical of this idea, despite the fact that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan keeps repeating that he wants to see the future generation more religious, brought up on Islamic-conservative values.

Airbus’s agency is also trying to intervene in the digital world: in a publication titled Social Media Ethics, the Religious Affairs Office advocates regulating social media using Islamic structures acting as judges, and using them to punish misconduct if the law does not provide for this. The Turkish leadership is currently trying to increase its influence on the Internet.

“Islam should be in every area”

Two weeks ago, Airbus, along with Erdogan, opened the annual ceremony for judges in Turkey. For the first time in the history of the country, it was accompanied by a prayer delivered by the head of the department for religious affairs.

Ali Erbas and Recep Tayyip Erdogan

For the opposition and liberal forces, the agency’s growing influence is a signal that the principle of separating religion from the state in Turkey is beginning to erode. But Airbus only supports the strengthening of the role of his department: “Why shouldn’t religion be a visible part of society?” He advocates for Islam to be present in every area of ​​society, including justice.

“The War on Secularism in Turkey”

Journalist Burchu Caracas, who studies the activities of the Department of Religious Affairs, observes this trend with concern: “The words of Airbus show that the state wants to regulate the public sphere with the help of religion. much broader. The government is waging a war against secularism and is using this organization as a tool in it. “

Significant growth in the budget of this organization is also a sign of the growing influence of the Office of Religious Affairs. In 2021, it is 12.9 billion lira, while 10 years ago – only 3 billion. Against this background, Airbus’s powers were extended, and on October 8 he was re-appointed as head of the organization.

See also:

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Hagia Sophia became a mosque

  The Turkish State Council allowed the use of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Hagia Sophia) as a mosque. On July 10, the court overturned the 1934 decree of the Turkish government granting the status of a museum to the cathedral. On July 24, the first Friday namaz in 86 years was held here. It was attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and thousands of believers.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  UNESCO World Heritage Site

  Hagia Sophia is not only a symbol of Istanbul, but also the most popular tourist attraction in Turkey. The temple with a huge dome 55 meters high, 4 minarets and an interior decorated with ancient frescoes and mosaics attracts millions of tourists every year. Since 1985, Hagia Sophia has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Monument of Byzantine architecture

  In 532, Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. 10,000 workers were involved in its construction. 15 years later, the building of the cathedral, which was not completed, was consecrated. For over a thousand years, it was the largest temple in the Christian world.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Cathedral in which the emperors of Byzantium were crowned

  Emperor Justinian gave almost 150 tons of gold for the construction of the Hagia Sophia. But the imperfect structure of the building needed improvement. The dome was originally designed with errors and collapsed during the earthquake. From the middle of the 7th century, Byzantine emperors were crowned in the Cathedral of St. Sophia.

• 

  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  How the cathedral became a mosque

  Byzantine rule in Constantinople ended in 1453. The city was conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. He ordered that the Hagia Sophia became a mosque. 4 minarets were added to the building. The cross was replaced with a crescent, the bells and altar were dismantled or destroyed, the mosaics and frescoes were plastered over.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  The mosque was turned into a museum

  After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the founder of the modern Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turned Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1934, called the Hagia Sophia Museum. Restoration work has begun in the building. Frescoes and mosaics, previously covered with plaster, were rediscovered. Much care has been taken not to damage the Muslim symbols in the building.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Byzantine icons

  During the restoration work on the walls inside the cathedral, a luxurious 14th century Byzantine mosaic was revealed, plastered over when the cathedral was turned into a mosque. The mosaic has not been completely preserved, but the faces are still clearly visible. In the middle, Christ is depicted as the ruler of the world. On the left is the Virgin Mary, on the right is John the Baptist.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Symbols of Islam and Christianity

  The fact that in this building we are talking about two major world religions – Islam and Christianity, is immediately clear to any visitor. Next to the image of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Christ are sacred for Muslims quotes from the Koran.

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  Hagia Sophia in Istanbul: Orthodox church, museum, mosque

  Dialogue of cultures and religions

  The head of the Constantinople Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew, strongly opposed the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Since 1934, the cathedral has been a museum and has served as a place and symbol of dialogue and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures.

  Author: Heike Mund, Natalia Pozdnyakova

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