Recently added articles from The Muslim World:

Introduction

Apr 01, 2008; Erdem, Gazi ... This special issue of The Muslim World is devoted to the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, or Diyanet (henceforth referred to as the PRA). The Republic of Turkey is unique among Muslim majority populated countries in the way in which it balances religion, democracy, and secularism based ...

Diyanet's Global Vision

Apr 01, 2008; Aydin, Mehmet ... Institutions are usually evaluated according to their vision and mission: where does an institution see itself today, and where does it plan to be in the future? From time to time the historical roots and the background of an institution may serve as an "effective history." To establish a ...

The Structure, Mission and Social Function of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (PRA)

Apr 01, 2008; Bardakoglu, Ali ... It is useful to present an overview of the historical origins of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (PRA) before moving on to its structure, legal basis, social and institutional functions. The PRA is not a novelty in Turkey; its roots can be found in Ottoman history. Though the PRA, which is a ...

The Ottoman Foundation of the Turkish Republic's Diyanet: Ziya Gokalp's Diyanet Ishlari Nazârati

Apr 01, 2008; Ersahin, Seyfettin ... Turkey achieved a radical transformation in its political and legal institutions in the 1920s and 30s, aiming "to reach above contemporary civilization." It is believed that one of the most notable achievements of Republican Turkey was the establishment of a unique religious institution called ...

Religious Services in Turkey: From the Office of Seyhülislam to the Diyanet

Apr 01, 2008; Erdem, Gazi ... The Republic of Turkey occupies a unique place in balancing religion, democracy and secularism among Islamic countries. Turkey is the only Islamic country that has included secularism in its constitution and devotedly practices it. The balance between Islam, secularism and democracy in Turkey is ...

Diyanet and Politics

Apr 01, 2008; Gözaydin, Istar B ... The PRA is a laic1 administrative unit in the Republic of Turkey established in 1924 to execute services regarding Islamic faith and practices, to enlighten society about religion, and to carry out the management of places of worship. In order to understand religion, politics and the politics of ...

The Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Principle of Secularism in Turkey

Apr 01, 2008; Adanali, Ahmet Hadi ... When the Turkish Republic was established, the first article in its constitution of 1921 stated clearly that "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the Nation." The next article declared that "The religion of the Turkish state is Islam." The first article is still preserved in the current ...

The Status of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the Turkish Constitution and its Execution

Apr 01, 2008; Gormez, Mehmet ... The theories as well as the practices regarding the relationship between religion and politics, religion and state, and religion and governance vary considerably over the course of Islamic history and tradition, starting with the death of the Prophet Muhammad. During that time, one of the most ...

The Presidency of Religious Affairs' Relationship with Religious Groups (Sects/Sufi Orders) in Turkey

Apr 01, 2008; Kutlu, Sönmez ... The PRA is an institution that was established in order to provide religious services under the purview of general Turkish administrative state services. It is neither a sacred nor sanctified institution. Its aim is to teach religious truth to the public, protect secularism, keep religion ...

Critical Approaches to the PRA

Apr 01, 2008; Subasi, Necdet ... The Presidency of Religious Affairs (PRA) is one of the most specific institutions of Turkish modernity. Its existence and function have been challenged on many grounds, with concerns ranging from its control of religion to actual interference with it. In fact, the PRA has been a reflection of ...

Religious Services of the PRA

Apr 01, 2008; Er, Izzet ... Throughout human history, almost all religions derived from the spiritual consciousness of human beings and eventually developed into social institutions. In the process of their establishment as an institution, each of these religions developed a unique configuration of structural organization ....

The Status and Function of the PRA in the Turkish Republic

Apr 01, 2008; Karaman, Fikret ... Religion is a "fundamental sense" that is built into the creation of man by Allah. It is an indispensable element for both the individual and society and its history is an inextricable part of the history of mankind. In this context, religion becomes an almighty ideal and an indispensable source ...

The PRA of Turkey: The Emergence, Evolution and Perception of its Religious Services Outside of Turkey

Apr 01, 2008; Dere, Ali ... Providing religious services in a social and political environment other than Turkey, where different religions and cultural traditions predominate, is no doubt a matter of interest for many students of religion. Contrary to conventional wisdom, what gave impetus to the activities of modern ...

The Educational Services of the PRA and its Contribution to Religious Education in Turkey

Apr 01, 2008; Ata, Ulvi ... The PRA provides common religious services and religious education and is an important Turkish institution that enlightens people about religion. It also provides administration of places of worship. The main goal of the PRA is to facilitate the process of understanding and implementing religion ...

The Publishing Activities of the PRA

Apr 01, 2008; Salman, Yüksel ... One of the most important aspects of the PRA's duty of enlightenment is undoubtedly its publishing activities. This started with the tradition and experience of the Ottoman Empire. In order to start new works, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) came up with two projects even before the ...

From "the Fetwa" to "Religious Questions": Main Characteristics of Fetwas of the Diyanet

Apr 01, 2008; Öcal, Samil ... This article is primarily concerned with the fetwas of the Diya net that are issued by the PRA regarding the believer's deeds, creed and faith.11 will examine the meaning and role of the fetwas in the past and its main characteristics today. A short history of the fetwa, starting from the period ...

The Dialogue of Two Institutions: The Vatican and the PRA

Apr 01, 2008; Yel, Ali Murat ... In this age of ours, when men are drawing more closely together and the bonds of friendship between different peoples are being strengthened, the Church examines with greater care the relation which she has to non-Christian religions. Ever aware of her duty to foster unity and charity among ...

Turkey-Religiosity and the PRA

Apr 01, 2008; Okumus, Ejder ... In this article, the term Turkey-religiosity is used to express the present religiosity in Turkey with respect to the different Muslimhoods. I coined this term in a study in which the forms of Islamic life in different communities and societies and in different times and places are called the ...

The Social Status of the PRA in Turkey and its Overall Assessment: Common Public Opinion

Apr 01, 2008; Tas, Kemaleddin ... It has continuously been argued whether or not religion-government affairs and dependent religious services should be a public service in Turkey.1 As a public institution in a secularist government structure, the PRA represents all religious groups, congregations and sects in Turkish society ....

The Turkish Diyanet Foundation

Apr 01, 2008; Turan, Ömer ... The Turkish DiyanetFoundation, which was founded in 1975 and has its headquarters in Ankara, is a juristic entity under the supervision of the General Directorate of Foundations. The second article of the Foundation statutes states that "The aim of the foundation is to help and support the ...