TURKEY’SGÜLEN

MOVEMENT

Hacking State Secularism Through Religious Civil

Engagement

Modern Turkey

Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere?

Modern Turkey

Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere?

Turkey - Laicité secularism since fall of Ottoman Empire Rule by “laity” vs. clergy

Absence of state religion

Religion is only a private matter

Religious considerations considered incompatible with reasoned political debate.

Modern Turkey

Modern Turkish state founded on Kemal Ataturk’s vision:

Constitutional Republic

Power held by the people vs. tribal and religious leaders

Banished (Ottoman) religious interference from public sphere

Turkish nationalism emphasized over a various of ethnic/religious identities

Embrace of modern secular (European) ideas and institutions

Modern Turkey

Religion in Public Sphere Mosques managed by the government’s Directorate of

Religious Affairs

Prevents mosques from being a locus of political mobilization

Religious groups not allowed to form political parties

Approves state-friendly Sunni Islamic teaching vs. ethnic, Sufi variations

Modern Turkey

Religion in Public Sphere Restrictions on religious freedom

Closure and confiscation of Christian churches and seminaries

Denial of access to government-held sacred spaces for religious observances

Denial of full legal status to religious minorities

Modern Turkey

AKP (Justice and Development)Party In power from 2002-Present

Center-right politics, liberal market economy, socially conservative

Considered Pro-Western & pro-American

Seeks to loosen some restrictions on public expression of religion

Constrained by Kemalist establishment in military, judiciary, etc.

The Gülen Movement

Founder: Fethullah Gülen Lives in exile in Saylorsburg,

Pennsylvania

Background in Sufi teaching, Sunni (Hanafi) thought

Argues that liberal democracy is compatible with Islam

Openly looks to Western religious and political thought to augment his own vision

The Gülen Movement

Controversial Movement in Turkey

The Gülen Movement

Founder: Fethullah Gülen

“When I was in elementary school around the age of 6 and when I did my noon prayer during recess once, I was locked in the basement as punishment by the principal. Such pressure was real.

Today, on the one hand, some Muslims face oppression and in response, certain individuals commit suicide attacks. Religion doesn't condone or justify responding to those who oppress with oppression.”

The Gülen Mopvement

Gülen’s Teachings: Shades of Karl Barth Stresses that the inner dimension of Islam should

drive how a Muslim acts in society

Muslims should practice service to the community, and make their goal to serve common good (hizmet)

Advocates religious freedom and interreligious dialogue

Political sphere should not restrict private or public expressions of religion

The Gülen Movement

Gülen’s Political Theology “Companion Model” of State-Religion Relationship

Muhammad listened to all of his companions when considering civil issues. Modern states should follow this example.

Very limited number of divine decrees regarding religion and state

“Secondary matters” are the domain of the state, yet should reflect the judgment and wisdom of the people.

Citizens should cultivate their faith, and bring the wisdom they receive through their faith into the public square.

The Gülen Movement

Parallels in Western Political/Religious Thought Two Ideas About Faith and the Public Square

John Rawls (Much like Kemalist Turkey): Religion and Faith entirely separate Faith a private issue State policies argued from Reason alone Equal footing for all faiths, with Reason as common

ground

The Gülen Movement

Parallels in Western Political/Religious Thought Two Ideas About Faith and the Public Square

John Rawls (Much like Kemalist Turkey): Religion and Faith entirely separate Faith a private issue State policies argued from Reason alone Equal footing for all faiths, with Reason as common ground

Alfred Stepan/Twin Tolerations (Much like Gülen’s Vision): No interference by State on Church, and vice versa Citizens do not leave religious identity behind in public

dialogue Right of religious groups to mobilize in civil and political

space

The Gülen Movement

Movement in Turkish civil society

The Gülen Movement

Turkish civil society Growing influence in

education, business andother sectors

Viewed with suspicion bypolitical figures (still a mysterious group to many Turkish citizens)

Movement aims for long-term goals of changing Turkish political and religious life.

Modern Turkey

Question: What political impact can a religious movement have in a country that excludes religion from the public sphere? The Gülen Movement aims to have a profound impact

Activism and Influence in Civil Society is the Key Education Business Media Social Services

TURKEY’SGÜLEN

MOVEMENT

Hacking State Secularism Through Religious Civil

Engagement