CEU eTD Collection

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of of degree the for therequirements of In partial fulfillment The Caseof andIran Turkey Positioned Positioned Power Relations: Supervisor: Professor Matteo Fumagalli Professor Supervisor: Master Master Islamic Identities as Islamic Identities Department of Political Science Political of Department Central European University University European Central Navid Yousefian Jazi Yousefian Navid of Arts in Political Science Arts Political in of Budapest, Hungary Hungary Budapest, Submitted to Submitted B 201 Y

4

CEU eTD Collection

their unwaveringlove andtheir

To myparentsTo fo support r

CEU eTD Collection political contexts. powerpositioned relations, interpretationsIslam of struggles dynamically occurs of , that the research claims beliefs, values, and world. performances intheMuslim thematic analysis ofthe narratives, identityexisting groups. in researchcomparative study isa differentiated basedbelief vague inthe ontheir and broad concept of character religious of being Muslim. inorderidentity togive reductionist politics a comprehensive ofdiverse picture narratives of ident of Muslim ‘what Althoughmain questionistobepolitically it is seeks it present to Muslim?’ atypology embedded con inthe sociopolitical to the prerequisites modern of the perception However, forms ofare identities. being the of Muslim Muslim new Abstract - depth havefalsely been andfundamentalism taken i within th within nterviews findings whose depict

The logic ities rangingIslamistsities tonon from

e society, ratherthan discourses by theological

through

and political and identities insteadand .

Therefore Th of identity politics

e ethnographical approach ofthis which get shapes heterogeneous based social ondifferent and

the cul the of political Muslims in of political Muslims life , Muslim identities are identities , Muslim thepointsofreferencefor text andpowertext relations tural hegemonie result t he construction . Islamism differentandhighly takes is shapes s

in an the asks us todisregard theasks us multi

impossibility in ofcategorizingMuslims i

interpret - believer itfindsthe literature seculars, of s, dominating discourses, and powers, dominating discourses,

of different

Turke In line

at assume that Muslims areassume thatMuslims only ive

within

y research understanding

to bethe same

with Talal Asad’s conceptionwith Talal Asad’s and Iranand Muslim identities identities Muslim

representing different

societies. Thisresearch’s the ,

followed by afollowed , comprising fourteen . This - d imensional

, distorting of the actual highly adapted highly

our CEU eTD Collection Appendix II Appendix I Bibliography 6 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Chapter Abstract TableofContents 3.2 Power, History,Political and 3.1 TheDynamic and Reactionary Character of Religious Identities as Positioning 2.2 Political Defining Islam 2.1 TheMainstream Distorted Picture of Political the Islam 1.2 Research Question 1.1 Secularism Resisting Table 7 Table 6 Table 5 Table 4 Table 3 Table 2 6.2 Power Struggles Masked Behind Identities 6.1 Islamic asIdentities a Heterogeneous Set of Positionings 5.3 A Discourse Analysis on Muslims’ Narrative of Politics 5.2 Muslim Identity’s Dimensions 5.1 TheInterviewees 4.2 A Theoretical Assessment of Dramaturgical Interviews 4.1 A Response to Possible Methodological Critiques 3.4 A Summary of Theoretical the Framework 3.3 TheMisleading Logic of Identity 3.1.1 Post3.1.1 5.2.5. 5.2.5. Muslims’5.2.4 Level of Political Toleration 5.2.3 PoliticalThe Connotations ofMuslim Identity 5.2.2. RecognitionThe of Other Typ 5.2.1 The Non 1 Table Multiculturalism3.3.1 as the Hallmark of Liberal Identity Politics

...... The The Will to Have an International Islamic Union – – – - - - -

- - – - -

On whetherOn different interpretations of Islam whatOn is it to be a Muslim On the relation the On of Islam politicsand

On the the On On Some concrete examples of what Muslims want Introduction

– Conclusion Findings and Theoretical Framework Literature Review Methodology –

Interviewees’ Informati - Data Extracts Data

Islamism ...... Topic Guide Muslim and European Identiti - Political Characteristics of Muslim Identity relation between Islam and actual politics Turkeyin and Iran

......

......

......

......

Analysis

......

......

......

...... on

......

...... es ofBeing Muslim ......

......

......

......

...... ii

...... es

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

are true

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

38 29 14 80 62 59 52

34 32 27 21 18 14 12 76 74 70 66 64 62 56 52 50 40 38 23 17 48 46 43 42 40 38

9 1 9 4 1

i

CEU eTD Collection 1 Turkey’s membe Islamist characterbeliefs oftheir totheir life. instance, private For of onthequestion secular limit been the to ofthe hegemonicdemanding discourse haslong West theMuslims used for bothnon IslamotherInIslamism one. political word to sense,Islamic equal this is the term and the is typepoliticized how a believershouldact thesociopolitical thatdictates in domain onthe Islam limitedbetween thattotheprivate is a version s of IslamicIslam“is not Islamist identity.” identity but social and political theWestern theory, has concern arguedthe it been over that questionof only tothe scholars ofmedia tothe public,bymeans butalso and public culture. fundamentalism falsely thesame, have understood presented which been tobe not has immediatelyIslamism backwardness with connects andviolence.Islam anti is oneof ofattention themain for centers researchers today. anda The politicized of picture several thenameIslamare attacksof terrorist in Isla why onlya anecdotes few political of integration in theWestern of Muslims in Europe, Muslims thethreats ofradical Africa, and questions regarding poli been and events acases ofother have lot theacademic shaped that interest the and in political Islamknown tobe inwhichpolitical theturningpoint got current salience, its therehave Resisting 1.1 Secularism Chapter1

Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." - Western doctrineIslama sensefear of broughtfor that about ofmind has the Western By originated only aand secular developed inthetra perspective, Christian Although September theincidents of -

Introduction rship in EU, Samuel Huntington statedrship inEU,Samuel thatTurkey, Huntington could doa ineffect, - political andpo political

tical Islam.tical Turkey TheIran, political Arab Spring, conflicts and in

litical aspects of Islamlitical aspects mighta of Muslim believe that in.The 11, 2001 and their aftermath11, 2001and aregenerally 1

1

Scholars have tried to differentiateScholars tried have to phere lifea hand, and onone of

SAIS Review ism and ism 21, no.2 (2001): 5.

dition of dition m

CEU eTD Collection Asia 5 4 3 179). 2 modern society conceptually tries andapa tokeep practically to understandtraditions by Muslim themreligion (twoessences insisting thatin andpolitics Islamismentangled, renderingIslamicformwithout “The any of impossible: attempt politics content of these . characteristicsIslam Christianity in and theand differences dismisses inthehistoryand of engaging talk inpublic secularism, either option religionof hasthe confiningand itselftoprivateworship belief or Western secular severalconcepts and Connollyarguesproble thatthe beIslam appliedsame hasbeenemployed way onit the in onChristianity. that Michael doubt.” differenceother faiths and insociallife thatthis isclearlyreflected open and to political thatreligionassumption is thanit consistently is Muslims toadherents to more important of Stevenpossible. studiesoncountries Fishextensive his a in scholars of that civilization.” apartheid civilization statechanging to inits a andthereby itselffrom pariah theleading state Africa:South beingits abandoned as “abandoning secularism alien asAfrica to South

Asad Connolly, William E. Fish, M. Steven. "Islam andauthoritarianism." Huntington, Samuel P.

(1999): 191.

, Talal. "Religion, nation 3 This particularIslam presupposes between typepolitics ofseparation the and same InspectionIslam onthepossibility vastly aworks has of secular appeared of inthe

mostly Furthermore, bee has it

ism.” aiming to answer whether a reconciliation of democracy and Islam answer ofdemocracya whetherreconciliation aiming to and is 2

themes that becameauthoritative onlythemes through thehegemony of 4

Why am I not asecularist

"The erosion American of national interests." On the same lines,Talal claims, Asad that makes onlife.” nodemands However - state, secularism."state,

m is that this framework thatthis m is “ uses n widely argued then widelyWestern secularperspective that cannot , it does not follow that Islam does followthat, it not and ar politics

World Politics . U of Minnesota Press, 1999: 22.

2 Nation and religion: Perspectives onEurope and

55, no. 01 (2002): 22. 5

round the world concludesround theworld “the rt) are coupled must, in my in must, are coupled rt) “ From the point ofview of thepoint From neutral of analysis, terms

Foreign Affairs

(1997): e firmly 178 –

CEU eTD Collection Berkeley,[Calif.]: Mizan Press, 1981: 30. 10 9 States." 8 University Michigan of Press, 2009: 7. 7 Press,JHU 2009: 28 6 religious areof Abrahamiana constructing religious notcapable texts institution. states, “It is oftime theprophet, necessary is it t oflaws.”amounts toacomplete system thereso too affairs arethe society laws, andgovernment practices, norms and for of which in Najaf, thesame just way “In setting thatthereare laws for claimedIslamic tobe law. the Islamicgot thegovernment the chance jurists ontheby head tosit andtorule of they what atypical.” politicalIran power in,say, mayand be Taliban joined introduces th authorities isunthinkable dueIslamic characteristics tothe fixed ofthe Elizabeth Hurd cont aproposesIslam thepossibilityseparationsame andthe of between state.argument, With between re historyIslam apart that ofsetsit from oth historyIslam different in of regions,that“Thereinsist nothing is,therefore, uniqueinthe view, lead tofailure.”

Fish, Fish, M. Steven. "Islam andauthoritarianism." Hurd, Elizabeth Shakman. "Political Islam andforeign policy Europe in and the United Ayoob, Mohammed. Asad, Talal.

Algar, Hamid.

However, as Abrahamian Ervand argues, Islamism,However, thereof importantlyIran,are most versions inShiite that Foreign Policy Analysis 9

ligion andligion politics.” The IslamicThe Iran in revolution Islami a inthe was rupture history the of

e separation of Islam of e Western separation and asconspiracy: politics a “Religious and Genealogies of religion: Discipline and reasons power of Christianityin and Islam

Islam and revolution: Writings anddeclarations of Imam Khomeini - 29. ends, theclaim betweenends, that the distinction political religious and

The many faces of political Islam: religion and politics in the 6

Scholars Ayoob, suchasa Mohammad detailed byreference tothe

3, no.4 (2007): Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Revolution, announced theAyatollah leader Khomeini, the Revolution, of 7

He accounts for a historical understanding of IslamHe a understanding accounts for historical of that

o enacttodayIslamic these by an government. laws

10 er religious termser traditionsin oftherelationship

Since theGod’s laws arerestricted notjust tothe

World Politics 348. 3

Khomeini became awareKhomeini basic well that - era thes Afghanistan.But

55, no. 01 (2002): 22. th the duties of worshipth thefor duties of man,

religion is false. is religion .

e are polities c world.c 8

. . CEU eTD Collection 14 University Michigan of Press, 2009: 10. 13 12 14. 11 A lack ofstudy onMuslims Islamexamine an whetherIslam ideology and as can scrutinize and be democracy reconci the main decade, ofthe most studiesonthe issuea have top 1.2 eachjoin the groups’ expediencies. other on based countriesIn havedisparities and their similarities. differenttheycircumstances, or oppose different countries.Islamist within Differentcountries, majority also but groups inMuslim aft asthemuch a Jamaat product Egyptian context ofthe the so further political objectives.” its not asingleIslamist party entered mainstream to thathas political not compromises into associated adaptability with ideological forfundamentalist] describing and movement his Khomeini, hisideas, because term this is their societi Imam hadeven notbeen surmountthe horrendous problems theProphet able of and to caliphateyears replicate. were to But also themodels is true it thatinlater argued he that yeartrue earlier that inhis

Ibid: 9. Ayoob, Mohammed. Ibid: 2. Abrahamian, Ervand. er 1947 thePakistani context.”

Research Question ciopolitical context and power ofeach struggles society: Brotherhood as “Muslim is Although political IslamAlthoughhasacademic been political attention intheduring center thelast of Iran’s to Similar ca

units es.”

of analysis. Other research mostly a takes t 11

Abrahamian asserts, isamore adaptable “Populism termthan [rather

The many faces of political Islam: religion and politics in the Muslim world

Khomeinism: s he [Khomeini] implied thatImams he Mohammad’s and [Khomeini] Ali’s se, in se,

as holding individuals certain ideas, religious andpolitical

13 The Many Islam Political Facesof

14 Islamism takes different andhighly is shapes embedded in essays on the Islamic Republic Political Islam Political manydifferent has faces no

and flexibility” intellectual 4

-

bottom bottom - i - Islami is a product of the Indianof theIslami and a product is heoretical thattries approach approach thestates are inwhich . Univ California of Press, 1993: 12 , Ayoob argues, “ , Ayoob argues,

t only among There is

to led. . CEU eTD Collection 16 Anthropological Institute 15 East,Middle couldbe it arguedIslamism/secularism can that also betreate practices.” asit synonymous withother elementsculture, as beliefs such of on “[Islamic]conceptually identity”entirely theterm murky, isundefined ortreating leaving difference,’ sphere by appealing to Islamist/secularof individual identity. as sortscan People inthepolitical identify themselves Islamictypes behaviors sociopolitical ideas distinct of producing the secularsfavora theory of non government and politics religion that entangles codifying by behaviors ininstitutional and theradical constitutionallevels.Islamists While seekIslamic an wide spectrum spectrum another projects types ofdifferent politi of Islamistsranging secularfrom to fundamentalist non yetthemselves have portrayed not alternative sufficiently forms ofbei picture ofMuslims was mentioned earli specific (economic, conte political, andsocial) processespractices contestedwhichand are discourse through produced,within taken up,or producedre a research performing inacertaineveryday way intheir life,

Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." Soares, Benjamin, andFil Therecomesamong totheir political when variation ideologies isavast it Muslims : “An overemphasis ontheological andhas religious sometimes : “Anmilieus debates overemphasis 16

Islamic haverarely been identities addressed: the “Much scholarly of literature

Given theinfluencereligious,non of - exoti cization effect attention gets little the historical ...Asa result, paidto representingIslamism a er,

their religious beliefs. However, intheframew apart fromapart intentiontoproduce someof theWesterners’ a 15, no.s1 (2009): S13. ippo Osella. "Islam, politics, anthropology."

- interference o s

identical with fundamentalism, with identical 5 xts byactors.” particularxts

f religion in f -

is clearly previous observed inthe religious,and anti - practicing Undoubtedly, Muslims. this the , ideas, norms, and norms, , ideas,

political sphere. Various SAIS Review render

Journal of the Royal

cal demands and law in - religious beliefs inthe ork of ‘politics of ‘politics of ork ng Muslim. ng Muslim. 15

the idea ofbeingthe

Neverthele the the d as an identity, 21, no.2 (2001): 2.

Muslims Muslims constitution, constitution, monolithic

ss, asi , t

CEU eTD Collection Middle East Journal 17 leastthese on topics: views regardingMuslims’ thespectrum on positions stand of ondifferent politics Itthat are politics. andcontroversial significant highly indicated Muslim that in wouldbe Muslim.” “ totheengagementIslamlimited orseparation As politics. and of research. Iadvantageswould elaborate onthethisapproach inthe methodology of of the section more interpretiveof the actual and values, w picture performances beliefs, intheMuslim unchanging defi research, ofa nature. typology this dynamic is and discursive Islam.versions ofpolitical Islam Mus focus a with on individual Muslim? and e political aspectsincluding identities, of Muslim thefu East. which makesofidentity theliterature tothepolitical intheMiddle applicable clashes politics Contemporary Islamism isaculturalContemporaryIslamism deconstructioncategory andpolitical of of the

Göle, Nilüfer. "Secularism andIs nitions of nitions

tc. The main question wouldbetc. Thequestion ‘ main 2. 1. The highly political variationis among differentMuslims and types ofnot complex is This research aimsacomprehensive topresent oftheof description spectrums ’

17

In theresearch’s words, tocome objective upwithatypology other is ofpolitical

This research regarding concentratesfive identities dimensions thereligious on The Recognition The n political Islam. The ethnographicalpolitical result ina approachresearch would ofthe

being Muslim on

(1997): 54. - Political Characteristics of Muslim Identity CharacteristicsPolitical of Muslim

However, beas will argued it framework intheof theoretical the

can account for ofthe theinadequacy and Legitimation and

lamism Turkey: in Themaking and elites of counter lims’ perspectives,lims’ rather thanonthe institutionalized what are variouswhat pol the 6 of Otherof Being Types Muslim

ndamentalist, Islamist, secular, ndamentalist, atheist, The Muslims’ self The Muslims’ itical types of beingiticala types

Nilufer claims, Gole static conception static

- - narrated narrated elites." ideas at

of the

The orld. CEU eTD Collection At thesame amongof Turkeya time, thereare dispositions some big similar and segment readingIslamfactors are of countries. political both inunderstandingstruggles key the within Iran’sdifferently and and inTurkey’s theconsequences politics, connotations oft highly marked clashesbetween by the religious opposing Islam Althoughfunctions identities. Furthermore, Tu significantmost non thereIran motives for are choice. someknown tobe other this are the generally Turkeyand selectionthe researcher’s is familia Iran.respond themain to and research questioninTurkeythemaincase While reasonfor the learnedfocusi by potential and scope in ofone barriers. analysisA comprehensive majority ofall notonly Muslim is countries outofthe ca andtradealcoholgood exampleofhowand production, politics reli consumption, isa thatdifferentiatedispositions their on p Muslims seculars that believe world politics. variation views topicnecessitates of onthis Muslims’ believeMuslims indifferent levels ofinter widelyIslam undertopicare ofpolitical the discussed included inthe Undoubtedly,Islam concerns political other topics.However, several mainissues thatare the n be intertwined. This research, similartoallother social ownlimitationsstudies, has scientificits and 5. 4. 3.

The Will to Have to The an Will Level Muslims’ ofPoliticalToleration Identity The Connotations Political ofMuslim Contrary thefundamentalistsbelieveour constitution,” who that“ to is rkey and Iran and rkey thatthedomestic areinthe sense special political quarrels are ng on and comparingng onand between

- Islam a not political is manifesto. Arab countries inthe Arab - depth research, but would depth research, but I nternational rity with the sociopolitical context ofthese context rity withthe sociopolitical twocountries, connection between connection politics. religion and Middle EastMiddle 7 Islamic Union

specific countries. This study This specific countries. attempts to olitical identity. for The demand

different ondomestic and prescriptions Thereare other religious several

i also the lessonsthat skip couldbe n

the sphere of world politics. the sphere politics. world of

se

five dimensions five

he political a

ban on The gion . CEU eTD Collection for comparingcountries. thetwo Iran’s stuck betweencitizens, moder and being traditional

8

n, whichthefoundations provides CEU eTD Collection Middle East Journal 18 interpretedsocialas force a directedagainsts negative manifests itselfpolitically...it as isconceptualized fundamentalism...Italmost always is Western notonly the mind butalso thepolitics, in academ in The ofthe Mainstream 2.1 IslamPicture Distorted Political main goal researc ofthis The variationIslamist/secular ide among conventionally,Islamist/secular tothe beliefs, hint identities values, performances. the and political life. Therefore,while the r term Muslim Islamist/secularcanof holddifferent forms and of identities social practice forms and various arewhich meanswith who peopleborn consciousness action.” andsocial the sense thatthefirstreligious expressesapolitical latter and a implies identity the prevalentan by expression as Middle Islamicpractice that ‘goodis rules. differentiationMuslims’ The between and Muslims’ ‘bad portion consider and as identify non themselves relig stated inthe individuals is their Chapter2

Göle, Nilüfer. "Secularism andIslamism Turkey: in Themaking and elites of counter ion and mostly labeled Muslim in Muslim labeled ion andmostly

Islamism havemainstreamfalsely been inthe andfundamentalism tobesimilar taken Therefore,asGole Nilufer indicates, The ‘Muslim’ use ofword of the po -

LiteratureReview pulation in bothcountriespulation in does denybutdonot not identities their Muslim

(1997): 47.

h, would be addressed in the resth, wouldbe addressed inoftheproject.

identification card. People areidentification with card. their inherited born 18 requiresIna clarification. thereligion bothcountries, of

This research in theterm Muslim uses - Easterns reflects on the binary on Easterns reflects oflabelsandprac

the first place. However - a

Muslim orevenMuslim a ntities amongntities Muslims, Muslim identification card. Nevertheless, Muslims identification card. Muslims Muslim Nevertheless, “ ‘ 9 Muslim’ isnotsynonymous in Muslim’ with‘Islamist’,

efers to individuals thatefers arenamed toindividuals Muslim cience, rationality, secularism theist. Moreover, a remarkabletheist. ic ci , there are a lot ofpeoplelot are whoa , there

the rcles: “ rcles: depiction

When religionWhen

its its broad meaning, of which - elites." -

in tices.

is the The

CEU eTD Collection Press, 2009: 4. 21 20 Joshua Cohen and Martha Nussbaum. B 19 Orient at Western is theofcultural heart political hegemony: the and salvation andemancipation. The process ofOtherness orc inferior accounts this for for tothe OccidentWestern and the for intervention East’s a basis and dominativeand exploitive violent doctrineis presented isof character. The tobe Orient TheIslam as equation of political fundamentalism with Orientalism unders interpretations have been have meant importantIslamIslamist aspects thatNew these from ofmainstream that flow gapcritical understandingIslam...language inthe Western of and barrierscul for everyon countrie Islam;political intenseIslamic theory interest an “While postcolonial in developed has Western the‘Orient’, knowledgenot beenon theidea enough over of therehave studies between i different Islamtend toreadpolitical ofdifferentiate way. all forms thesame in Thenot did West short, against mo

Baker, Raymond Young, Robert JC. "Postcolonial remains." Himmelfarb tanding about the Muslim Muslim tanding about the which isaberrant, inferior.dogma aboutAnother undeveloped, the isthat abstractions between isrational, developed, theWest, which and superior, humane, the “Principal theabsolute dogmas and ofOrientalism...[are] systematic difference However, the postcolonial theory isr Even s, in 2001 Islamwas asunreadable theoristsas intheWest just mostpostcolonial s, in2001 for e else.” , points out to out , points theincentives behinda presenting ofthe distorted picture Orient. , Gertrude. ‘‘The Illusions of Cosmopolitanism.’’ In ForLove Country? of edited by in the p

dernity.” William. nterpretations of Islam,nterpretations of nor 20

ostcolonial framework that concernedwiththe shortcomings ofthe is As RaymonBaker argues, “

largely ignored inthe West.” 19

Islam withoutIslam fear: Egypt and the new Islamists

Due o toalack

m ajority Edward book, countries. classic Said,inhis oston: Beacon Press. (2002): 76.

New Literary History f accurate study of the political Islam, studyf accurate political ofthe Westerners i ch enough to explain theroots the explain of ch inadequate enough to 10

between different types of Muslim identities. identities. Muslim between different types of

There arereasons nosoundscholarly for the 21 a

backward, uncivilized, in backward, uncivilized, onstructing the‘Other’ ofthe

43, no. 1(2012): 30.

. Harvard University tural differences

Orient, tolerant,

CEU eTD Collection Anthropological Institute 24 12. 23 22 AlthoughIslamIslamic of differentviews onthe versions adaptation have rules distinct of to Islamreinforced ofpolitical static, and as theimagination rigid oflaws. a solid, system presentationIslamas of representations religionas oftheir own unitary, timeless, andunchanging. viewsIslamemerged have from alsointerpretations within viaMuslims’ and itself, Western media alike prod have corrupted. women theremodern extremely are economy,is sense isno suppressed, and highly of politics Orient homogeneousIslamicintroducesaas and theOrientpart backward. as countries, of the governments, media, public and popart, etc. universities, toproduce theknowledge that arguments,all social, hasemployed political, West andc fundamentalism,would termina which tothe fact out to point Islamists that onlyofviolence aimto a majorityand small hegemony.worn to obscure Western threatensis thatit toreveal that the apparent ofglobalizationin fact is universalism amask

Soares, Benjamin, andFilippo Osella. "Islam, politics, anthropology." Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." Edward.Said, "Orientalism. 1978."

,

However, Benjamin andargue Soares Filipo “Whileacademic Osella and discourse SchwedlerJilian “In Falk’s explains, the [Richard] Islamic “menace” identity view, of possibl (by research and pacification, development, outright yellowfeared or (the the Mongoldominions) tobecontrolled Peril, thebrown hordes, d realities. of thattheuniform, Orient andincapable dogmaeternal, Athird is is Orient... are modern always todirectevidenceOriental from drawn preferable are regions w efining itself; ... A fourth dogma is that the Orient is at bottom something atefining dogma is bottom fourth either isthattobe the itself;...A Orient

e).” 22

h

ere there moder sign isno of

15, no.s1 (2009): S2. the tru

th uced reified views of Islamof inabundance,reifieduced and such Muslims views

that is timeless andahistoricalthat is has also Muslims by

New York: Vintage ” 23 te theof ‘Others.’ construction

To understandthereal pictur

11

n life, religious tolerance does not exist, n life, does religious exist, not tolerance

1994 (1979): 301. ultural such institutions as occupation whenever

SAIS Review

Journal of the Royal e of the political Islamepolitical ofthe is

Along withSaid’s ” 24 21, no.

The

2 (2001): CEU eTD Collection University Michigan of Press, 2009: 11. 27 22. 26 25 democratic values partiesEgypt, Malaysia,Indonesia, inTurkey,Kuwait Pakistan, have and internalized versions ofpo conform, elaborateconstitutional it indetail nordoes a theory.” t political ordinances lay ofQuran andanyof ...dostate: not specific form downthat is used asset a oflaws comprehensivegovernance. forAsMuhammadargues, “The Asad objective set ofru emphasize ontheengagement of Shariabutalso presentsas inpolitics, and a Sharia fixed Islamistgroups, suchasand parties AKPinTurkeythat donot and inEgypt, Wasat party Islam which one to ce specific type, IslamismIslamHowever, of thisdefinition orpolitical reduces ofpolitical forms various who advocates agenda aof political application where the ItexactlyIslam be? politicalthat “ would hasbeensuggested Defining Political 2.2 Islam Islamicthe schools. the equationwith Islamism of ideological hardened schools,have diverseIslam. creation ofTherefore interpretation the of the modern li o say, prescribeIslamicany does theSharia definite not towhich pattern an state must

Ayoob, Mohammed. Asad, . Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?."

Moreover,as woul it Now thequestionif isrecognized West a distorted pictureIslam, ofpolitical what fe,generalIslamic conservative the of any approach schools, like sort of other litical Islam arelitical adapted highlyprerequisites life: of themodern “Islamist tothe les that could keep its meaning in different times and contexts, andcould differentbe couldkeep meaningcontexts, les that its in and times

to avery extent.” significant

The principles of state and government in Islam

The many faces of political Islam: religion and politics in the Muslim world

d be arguedd be (3.1.1) inthe section

fundamentalism

nters on Sharia. Itnters onSharia. several dismisses only not political

12 27 has been by a reciprocal process th

Islamist groupsare and more parties sharia An “Islamist,” then is a Muslim thenAn “Islamist,” isaMuslim ,

Post 26

. Univ California of Press, 1961: SAIS Review , or Islamic law,, oriscentral.”

- Islamism, 21, no.2 (2001 that e and West current

a ): ): 5. . , 25

CEU eTD Collection 31 30 University Michigan of Press, 2009:1. 29 13. 28 Islampolitical take ondifferent easily different can contexts. faces based unproblematic desc un should political project. wide variety of Islam,allows “Islamism, aunderstanding more pluralistic ofthe orpolitical term: toa refers contemporary and implemented insome world fashion.” Muslim hasto something important S nation democracy, thehegemonic but to ofglobalcapitalis structures power Islam:the traditional Islamic “Thechallenge ofliberal thevalues to identityisnot reaction withinthe IslamicWestern from wayrather than tothe discourse oflife a of revival haria law inthe state.

Armando, Salvatore. Schwedler, Ayoob, Mohammed. Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?."

- states.” ByIslam adefinitionof political broader be said thatafaith “Islam could it body of as derstand political Islamderstand political asa “ Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." 28

often competing politicaloften movementsIslam that treat central tenet as the ofa

” InIslam political sense, this extremely is d 30

ription ofaription clear phenomenon.” However, it should be noted that, asHowever, be Armando itshould notedthat, Salvatoreargues, we

The many faces of political Islam: religion and politics in the Muslim world Islam andthe political discourse modernityof

say and how politics society be about should ordered inthe

conceptual andand symbolicconceptual neveras construct, a 13

31

This ideahowand explains why ifferent from actualization of fromifferent actualization

. Vol. 4.Ithaca, 1997: xxvi.n1) SAIS Review SAIS Review 29

This broad definition, m and thesystemm and of

21, no.2 (2001): 5. 21, no.2 (2001): n .

CEU eTD Collection 35 34 33 no. 1(2005): 2. 32 “[Cultural identity] isamatter'becoming' ofas 'being'. well asIt of belongsas tothefuture aconstitute partcollective of ag mentality,a beingaffectedand by shaped social factors. numerous circumstances.” reinterpretation inlight andreconstruction ofu discourses, continuous andstruggles.argues, “Identity power As Schwedler issubject to constructed by political violence.” Islamic thatnot show the world hasbeengrossly siteofa the disproportionate relationship be countriesMuslim arepoorer underdevelopmentthe and than far thereforeexplains that others study between nolink elucidates, “ThereIslam democratic and is se deficit per butthat ahistorical Nicola claims “ as essentially individuals, abnormal, anti Positioning 3.1 Chapter3

Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." Ibid: 17. Fish, M. Steven. "Islam andauthoritarianism." Nicola.Pratt, "Identity, culture and democratization: the cas

The Dynamic Religious identical identities, other cultural to categories of iden There anIslam, effort been topresent intellectual astheMuslims, has ideology, and

and essentialized.”

-

twe

social interactions, historical circumstances, cultural hegemonies, dominatingsocial interactions,historical cultural circumstances, hegemonies, There has been anThere overwhelmingten has 35 TheoreticalFramework

Far from beingFaraa essence person, fixed identities from are continuously of en Islam andauthoritarianism.” en 34

and

Reactionary 32

Nevertheless, Fish,a Steven by far

Character ofCharacter Religious I - liberal, anti liberal,

roup’s intersubjectivity roup’s World Politics 14 nfolding even

33

Moreover, states, he evidence “The does dency culture as Arab/Muslim topresent - democratic, and anti They can be only meaningful e of Egypt."

55, no. 01 (2002): 16. ts and changingts and

SAIS Review - reaching quantitative reaching

. dentities as New Political Science

Stuart H Stuart tities, artities, - secular. 21, no.2 (2001): 4.

all argues, amount of

e dynamically As Pratt if they

27,

CEU eTD Collection 40 39 38 no. 1(2005): 10. 37 36 shows thatthe‘meaning’ the and in ‘culture’ world. varies according Muslim tothe context done onefirst ofthe 1996 andevenin 1999,but inAfghanistan Iran within at the time.” identityIranian1978, for meant example, differsonly in not meant fromBosnia it in what in movements seek tochallenge Western hegemon civilizations.” formationpolitical andeconomic owes more tosome to struggles than countriesresponse Muslim Therefore, totheWest. from could“Islamic it beargued, identity the nation.” contradistinction theWest necessarily to difference suppression of entail internal the wi practices homogeneousidentityessentialized and seek nationalin an to reproduce that construction as and dominativeexploitive, WesternNicola identity.“The asserts, ofidentity As process Islamicstrong collectivea sense ofresistance form identityas of against thecolonizing, Islamic the monolithic identity andIslam.monotonous unchanging voicereason Oneproduction of presentation for and of and culture. Cu Itmuch as tothepast.something transcending not is whichexists, place, already history time,

Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth,menace, or mobilizer?." Ayoob, Mohammed. "Political Islam: image reality." and Schwedler, Jillian. "Islamic identity: myth, Nicola.Pratt, "Identity, culture anddemocratization: the case of Egypt." Stuart.Hall, "Cultural identity anddiaspora." (1990): 225. Islamist/secular identities take different indifferentcontexts: shapes Nevertheless, reciprocally, have tothe Muslims creation also of contributed a 37

38 As a result, identity theuniform a Muslim defensive could as beunderstood

ltural identities come fromltural somewhere, identities histories.” have

a means of resistance tothecontainsa West ananti means This idea that“Many isanalogous Ayoob’s to [Islamist] these point of

anthropological studies on anthropological studies

lies behindreactionary its had toshape nature.Muslims a menace, or mobilizer?." 15 Muslims, presentedMuslims, i yin international relations.”

World Policy Journal

SAIS Review SAIS Review - democratic logic.democratic Cultural 40

New Political Science n

Clifford GeertzClifford has

Islam Observed 36 clash of clash

(2004): 10. 21, no.2 (2001): 4. 21, no.2 (2001): 9. 39 “ What IslaWhat

. He . mic thin thin

27,

CEU eTD Collection Anthropological Institute 44 43 Studies of South Asia, Africa a 42 University Chicago of Press, 1971: 16. 41 identity,Muslim differ eachonly Muslims from other social intheir alsoin beliefs, not but problematic. and withwhata mechanism self definitions ofbeinga Muslim. indifferentMuslims social andhistorical herefrainsaccepting contexts, from one’s informants critique ofel meaning’ ov own web any and ofmeaning, attempt throw at will ‘aof synthesis points webfrozen of Islam el but of contexts, based ondifferent Islam.”essentialized universal much ofhe ideas, sees Geertz’s too,was thatGeertz, ultimately seduced by ofanthe idea el on further studi comprehensiveness; an notto intensity butalarg setting”IndonesianIslam, whereas pretend “didnoteven pretended topurity,it to theface on purified,in this, unpromising canonical,completelycreed anduniform ofit, markedreligious apersist strain andmoral of perfectionism, ByIndonesia,and“MoroccanIslam focusingembody a onMorocco argues he to came

- Soares, Benjamin, andFilippo Osella. "Islam, politics, anthropology." Ibid: 658. Anjum, Ovamir. "Islama discursive as tradition: Talal Asad and his interlocutors." Geer Zein “While el AsadAnjum explains, andTalal Ovamir criticized have it. tz, Clifford. However, empirically itis thetheoreticalregardless on the apparent that disputes GeertzWhile

er the otherwise fluid,dynamicer otherwise of meaning the web inhabits.” thatthesubject -

Zein, Asad directedZein, Asadcriticism harsh against that“Islamwas theidea whatever es on Muslims, other prominent es onMuslims,

said that it was.” it said that Islam observed: Religious development in Morocco and Indonesia ’s

anthropological hasbeen research extremely influential onMuslims 15, no.s1 (2009): S16. nd the Middle East

42 Therefore, onwhocan questions be considered the a Muslim, -

It distinguishes among thatGeertz versions different true is identification of beingidentification ofcan Muslim 44

Although Asad accountsAlthough o for Asad versions different - Zein

27, no. 3(2007): 657. 16

theorists and scholars such astheorists AbdulHamid and scholars such

claims ofspirit. eness

“Each expression of Islam“Each creates of expression its ing determination toestablisha ing determination ” 41

Journal of the Royal be legitimized are legitimized be - Zein accepts

all Comparative . Vol. 37.

self f - claimed 43

In CEU eTD Collection 48 47 46 45 moderniza Islamist totheFor torights,out fromduties points the himthe turn term which characterizes that post groups,as opposedtoconsidering them Islamiccontemporarygroups signify movementsto and social character themodern these of politics/Islamism. some scholars Asa result, usethe word post Islam’‘spirit of canget infused inpragmatic and practices,from penalties, some food, specific codes drinks related todress, social the and practice.” politics “relateMuslim a widely shared, although notdoctrinally to defined, political connotations ofbeing asa well. Muslim Accordingand Piscatori, toEickelman 3.1.1 enoughreturnthe ‘holy tothese practices pleasurable once m younggive drugs, during menand updrink, otheractivities they illicit Ramadan, often S Muslim’. ‘God’s ittransforms time, law’.At thesame from theindividual a ‘Good Muslim as identity, a asense denial Muslim usually ignoring of about for the ofshame bring the anti effectively sociality. kindof a new fashioningand concerned withtheIslam, correct of only practice part is this of one is what practices:“Although todayaree Muslims many

Bayat, Asef. "What is post Eickelman Ibid: Ibid: - Islamic ofa acts t part as

Post S S The variation among Muslim identities necessitatesThe identities variation amonga Muslim variationand inthe social 12. 11. - IslamismIslamists a is departure from the of - tion oftion thepolitical life.Iran’s Hepost alludes to Islamism

oares a good provides

, DaleF. and James Piscatori 47

Therefore, since thereIslamic sociopolitical concrete rules, isno setof aside

- islamism?." heir of culture. activities, withoutbeingconsidered sort These

example ofthese type ofnon ” 45

Muslims sometimesMuslims internalize some non . ISIM Review

Muslim politics as a of revival traditi

politics and transform it as Islamic andas it transform politics 17 ngaged in various kinds of ethicalngaged invarious of self kinds

16 (2005): 1. . Princeton University Press, 2004: 4 jihadi jihadi - war era,war theemergenceal of onal Islam.onal and onth’ isover.” - -

Islamism describe to the Islamic performances: “While Salafi Salafi doctrinesIslam. of Assef BayatAssef suggests 46

tradition ofideas

- Islamic and ’ toa ‘Bad - - 5. -

48

CEU eTD Collection (2002): 174. 51 50 Univers 49 genealogical out how religious religion, approach topoint toward hetries ideology is SystemReligion aCultural as 3.2 means ofpower. numerous types ofbeliefs,and traditions, making practices, to beused more as it proper a in order has become but concerning principlesfoundational the imaginary, addressed politicalnot raising questions solely questions, new thereby toMuslim “ Islamism. a abandoned viewsvalues and radical adopted theirhave such rights, more as human in though Islamistssince totake havethe failed Islamizationopposed to of the state by thepost political legitimation. partyIslamism authoritative its examples ofhowand feature lost AKP, have as as Wasat party1990s,and mid theriseIslamic of inEgypt in partiesas Refah such inTurkey,

InsteadasIslam ofdisappearinga reference, social penetratesand fiber evenmore the into

conservative perspective. Gole, Nilufer. "Islam public: in New visibilities and new imaginaries." Roy, Olivier. Bayat, Asef. Power,History, and Islam Political ity Press, 2007: 10 Other scholars, Roy,of ontheprivatization asIslam Olivier emphasized such have as Talalcriticized Asad Geertz’s has well to permeate into politics to permeate into 50

However intertwined with politics inaIslam broaderwith politics sense. Political flexible intertwined more became

Making Islam democratic: Social movements and postthe

The failure of political Islam

, manyfind claimpremature.scholars this According Nilufer Gole, to 49

- 11.

Inpost understanding, this

for its rigid and ahistorical conception of religion. Byfor rigidof andahistorical conception its religion. a ,

and

political they power ofthe inmost states, have thereby . Harvard University Press, 1994. of collective life ingeneral.”

18 gained thepotent - - known definition of religionknown definition prese Islamist ideasRoy and groups. argues that

- Islamism ofthe theresult failure is of ial to give an Islamic ial togivean to tune

- Public Culture Islamist turn

51

As a result, IslamAs a result, . Stanford

14, no. 1

nted in a source of s CEU eTD Collection 56 55 54 53 52 practices,Thus, anstud anthropological dispositions). and therefore,mainfactortounderstandthe formationreligions. of historyisthe “Discoursethat involv involved inpracticeas the same isnot approach butaremind, also by constituted e the dependent Religious only beliefs oneachare other. as positioned not an unw oppressor.” no k which isother thanconsciousness ofreality,therelations to producing ofproduction, external perceptionquestions the Marx’s of religion;a “As modeof ideology as thatis, consciousness discourses/activities; thet concepts/discourses dependentother is onthe socially appropriateof production “arenot metaphysical.” social and primarily conduct and'rewards p based on beliefs (about'supremepower'),'worship'), a ordered practices (itsand(a ethics code of religiousformulation inwhichtheinduced are a by theology,set dispositions as ofobjective independently conditions ofthewhich produce bafflement worldly Geertz’s seems notion,since be “He [Geertz] to arguing stands thatreligious belief constructed through by power, me

Ibid: 243. Ibid: 247. Ibid: 240. Ibid: 241. Asad, Talal. "Anthropological conceptions of religion: reflections on Geertz." nowledge, ofthe at theanguish oppressedand butexpressing once Asad asserts thattheologytends toobscuretheoccurrenceevents of ( Asad’s main , Asad claims that this interconnection thatthis Asad claims byHowever, occurs , means ofdiscourse.

55

Formetaphysical thesocial Asad, are interactionsand dispositions reciprocally argument about religionargument about authoritative that“The is statusof

wo are temporallynot just intrinsicallyand connected.

unishments afterlife'),unishments this ans of discourse, throughoutans of its veryday life andverydayBy thesociety.Foucauldian life a 53 19

yIslam aside ofthe set should

Asad ar ed in

history

speaking aboutpractice;” .” gues the dispositions that 52

Contrary to Geertz the cynicism ofthethe . Asad opposes . Man orldly state of i.e.,

(1983): 247. ”

utterances, 54

He ’s

56

CEU eTD Collection 59 Papersional Series. Washington, DC: Georgetown University, 1996: 7and 14 58 57 formsinstitutionalized oftheology inducereligious particular forms authorities and of strugglesand dominative discourses. theinstitutionalized and Nevertheless, non Islamist/preservation of created relations and social by themeansandcircumstances. formation historical The of and socialtime, and political interests playinproduction,p persuasion, arole huge obliged toundertake are were involved Individuals’religious beliefs are conditioned by inwhichthey socially social relations the religionare andpower historical power, as theold Heidentities. reminds usthat the religion ino inpolitics onlyabused not is embodied insymbols;” from understanding Geertz’s ofculture eventsgivethe social connotationsIslamic meaning that of By tothe dispositions. departing Islamtheologicalfocus on andideologicaldisputes and onthe historical circumstances and

Asad, Talal. "Anthropological conceptions of religion: reflections on Geertz." Asad, Talal. IdeaThe of an Anthropology Islam. of for Contemporary Center Arab Studies Ibid: 238. propagationreligious beliefs. of The Asadappropriate provides theoretical anfor framework the ofMuslim study sense this sayIslamicMuslims Islamic Nor isan toan in tradition. belongs discursive tradition referenceIslamic toaparticular practice Clearly,everything inthe present. not discours knowledgeIslamic discursive …An traditionsimply is a tradition ofMuslim manipulation ofpopulations(or theproduction resistance and of toit), appropriate “ A discursivethat connectstheformationselves, tradition ofthe variouslymoral with

Islamist/secular identities,

while growing up. The social activities onewhile growing social has activities up.The been encouraged, permitted, or e that addresses itself to conceptions of the Islamic toconceptionse with future, thataddressespast ofthe itself and

cliché says, but necessarily of imitative

57

secular and arehistoricallyconnected beliefs socially topower crucial of intheher formation

AsadIslam defines as: political

ly at intertwined

it also shapes and isshapedInand by also Asad’sit shapes view, politics.

as

as “a historically transmitted pattern ofmeanings pattern as historically “a transmitted with other what was done in thepast.” what in was done 20

the sociologicalthe andpolitical levels.

religious identitiesand dispositions, are

rel

igious dispositions. 58

- 15. Man rder togain

59

(1983): 240. reservation,

At thesame - Occa

-

CEU eTD Collection Islamist/secular, the overlooks diversity politicaldema groupsand among the their bygroups politics and trying tounderstand the complex highly the binary presenting of attempt Islamicfrom and the become tradition modern, liberal, and more secular. of th Islamicand values and character toTurkey, the society. preserve ofthe Similar discourse the Islamicclaimedgovernment Islamic 1979,which after in Revolution tries toenact rules the ‘anotherIran inTurkey.’ Itstate by commonAKP. tohear anti from highly is secularanti ThePersian) op parts population. of the votes o byIslamicconsequently RefahPartya rhetoricthesupport and and AKP, thatuse toobtain Inachieving thestate power. case ofTurkey,isas it the people are orgroups confront divided intwo moregain more andeachby other power they to domestic conflicts theMiddleEast, in particularlyinTurkeyIran. and mainidea The ishow 3.3 religious/non Islam significantlyby constituted But thereligious the processes inwhich areand internalized dispositions conditioned are political beliefs and The Logic Misleading ofIdentity e political opposition isrifeliberal withsecularand terms, requiringstate todepart the ist/secular identitiesconsider should whichist/secular the traditions in the discursive f the Islamicf theconservative or (w However,Iran’s these are ofTurkeypolitics formulations toosimplistic. The and Islamic/secularItthe common touseidentities very as is a framework to to assign Islamistto assign andsecular identitiesandsubsequently toindividuals political - capitalist groups, concerned with the transformation of Turkey into an Islamic concernedancapitalistinto groups, withthe transformation ofTurkey - religious/anti

values, consequentlyvalues, affecting performances. thepoliticaland behavior

InIslamicIran,case of of the Republic been therehas a self

- both religiousare practiced. ideas being

power andpower Therefore, discourses. any study proper of hich is called hich iscalled position isposition introduced as consisting

21

- Mohafezekar AKP activists thatthey dono sumed thatIslamism thererise of isa

in both Turkish and Turkish in both

mainly ofthe

address the t want nds. Itnds. has - CEU eTD Collection 62 15, no.1 (2004): 155. 2006 SkytteJohan Prize Lecture." multipli assigns tosocially identities culturally various anddifferent whether groups and discusses the presumptions ofthistype ofarguments The are problematic. identity framework politics reveals scanty surprisingly diversitycountervailsevidence that open politics.” There between and negativecorrelation isno democracy: diversity “ arguing the empirical that and Bulgaria?” maintainingis going inMacedoniarule is tobeeasierand popularinPoland Slovenia thanit homogeneity facilitatesdemocra follows. inferred the morethe less racially that thesociety, diverse degreethat ofsocial trust democracy. hasdone a Robert Putnam larger reductionistgrasp and the fails heterogeneitytheconcrete to of politics. sort of categorical est identities, section, will it the Christianthat dismisses asa foundationHo political of theory. secularism fromIslam the involvement relies of thepublicsphere in ona IslamicTalal demandfromcountries Asad, thattheWestern tobecome and secular break been section, discussedbyreferring in the introduction of MichaelConnolly tothe works and 61 60

Ibid: 155. Putnam, Robert D.. Pluribus "E Unum: Diversity And CommunityIn Tw The Fish, Fish, M. Steven, Robin and S.Brooks. "Does Diversity Democracy?." Hurt Regardless ofthedemoc Social and have cultural diversities long considered been as enemiesto big city ofidentitieshelpful a is in society. ofwe However, what themean question by 60

Many intuitively have idea: scholars acceptedthis “

be arguedthat employingIslamist/secular also notonlybut any the identities, 61

However, some

data does from supportPutnam’stheory. not around world the

ablished inthe literature is politics, ofliberal identity Scandinavian Political Studies ratic consequences of the social and cultural diversities, thesocial and consequencesratic cultural ofthe diversities, cy that make simply to seems sense. doubts Who academics, includingFish, notion Stevenhavethis opposed esearch on forty American communities andesearch onforty American communities 22

30, no.2 (2007). The thatgreater notion ethnic flawed understanding of Islamflawed of understanding Yet closer inspection closer Yet Journal of Democracy

enty

- wever, in this wever, inthis 62 first Centuryfirst The

CEU eTD Collection 65 64 ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002: 345. and preplannedandgroups. ‘Chinese’ a ‘Indian’ result, As although claims multiculturalism heterogeneous people, various holdingdifferent on infixed spectrums positions ofidentities, makefundamentalmulticulturalism the of premises state obliged t employgovernance’ asa multiculturalism ‘neutral of The different identities. system toward criticize thelogic o as for provides theliberalidentities dealinga good prescription withvariousframework to consistent anddisadvantages, with, required even as and by, sojustice.” unfair forms privilegeso orinvidious that distinguishother citizens. However, “we themfrom can as not multiculturalism see family soon.” and identities, size, indistinguishable from native more tothe expectedmajority’s cultural tobeexisting “become assimilated normsand opposed toilliberal ethnicnations at is the heartmulticulturalism. of Kymlickaand Will cultural As identities. the idea explains, ofcreatingcivi a 3.3.1 falls address shortto questions concerning the diversi to someofthe showthat to mainarguments the essentialist approach identities cultural of social constructionist framework topost areare thecreation different constructed.There thatexplain approaches of identity hasaddressed asociological hardly been with account sufficiently ofhow identities 63

Ibid: 365. Ibid: 354. Kymlicka, Will. "

Multiculturalismas theHallmark of Hypothetically,India want usimagine thatChinaand becomeand to let country one Liberalism asthesolution multiculturalism haspresented for including social diverse

Multiculturalism." In f identities. f identities.

-

born citizens in theirborn in speeccitizens

64

Moreover, they aregivenMoreover, they autonomy more onthetopics f discrimination, butascompensation for unfair Contemporary political philosophy: an introduction - modernist ones.Thissection wouldtrymodernist out topoint

Liberal 23

tyand heterogeneity. Identity Politics h, dress, leisure activities, cuisine, activities, leisureh, dress, o identify highly 63

Minority groupsMinority are no 65

Multiculturalism, Multiculturalism,

identities fromidentities c nation as . 2nd CEU eTD Collection dreamyourself absurd.you pathetically You that is dream of beingwhennothing better have identify byBaudrillard AsJean themselves certaingroup. argues belonging “ toa certain thatidentifies features, consideredare a more but alsocentered topromote thesame, homogenous invited society, on thesame with individuals identity.not only People belonginggroup totheare same At thesame neglectsthe divisions. time, it the multiculturalismsocial clearly division, is ofsocial a conflict. source Ifcan boundaries. blurtheaccepts one fixed society’sa result, avoidsthe multiculturalism dynamic As interactions tendencies. social that The salienceaspects ofparticular arbitraryand iscompletely ofculture determinedby the questioned whydoes divide it people not basedtheir artistic taste or on of identities doestolegitimizeIt these is asofdivision. dimensions thevalid axis couldbe by multicul practices.sexual are People between notobjectively issuggested as divided it theidentities orientation;rather,isthe sexual it feminist, and queer are theory,not people relevant divide people. Asissuggested to it than theothers inthe post differencesgroups diffe bytreating onlyAnd inthelong not reinforces it divisions, the run, multiculturalism produces people betweengroups different basedonexactlythesame identitieshasrecognized. thatit peopleto unite by agiving sensecollective of ide Multiculturalism proposesMulticulturalism superficialand internalize asks differences to individuals One crucialwhy questionis some characteristics of logic finds identities more turalism; butitturalism; thesocial is practices logic What engender thiscategorization. that

them as a specificPeople culture. alsogood have to incentives society rently and indiscourse inpractice.

that gives salience to skin color, sex organs,that gives salience color, to skin sex and different merelydifferent race, and topicsgender, of onthe that one of the sources of social tensions is is tensions ofthethat one sources ofsocial 24 differences inoneunitby single all labeling

ntity updividing ends it toindividuals,

-

structuralist racial,structuralist

political attitudes. attitudes. political Identity isa CEU eTD Collection 229. 68 Press, 1990: 98. 66 principle under the self perceivable similarity. conceals by of Nonetheless, thelack multiculturalism the otherness is always tobeing deferred, staggered, open serialized.” difference, couldoccur.representation thenconstitutedwithinBut is what norepresentation identify as something tobe from themselves different LuceIrigary:Adorno, and Jacques Derrida, Young critique summarizesthepostmodern significance,and tothe conformist, identity Iris homogenous,and aimless crowd. Marion economic exploitative versus project “them.” the “othe ofconstructing While Theoutcomemulticulturalism. of of policieshas“us” multiculturalist beencreation the process.this become moreandfake More more distinct. After singularity,people losing classify need themselves innarrower to identitycategories to to d 67

Hall, Stuart.Hall, "Cultural identity anddiaspora." Baudrillard, Jean. Young,Iris Marion. o. You dream of yourselfyougainingo. Youdream and recognitionwhen of singularity.” have all lost

Multiculturalism uses thelogicgiveMulticulturalism meaning of to can identity People toindividuals. complete orshared absencerelationship of attributes.” noticed only through dif in certain respects, similarity but and isnevercan thesimilar sameness, be entities, events,are opposed. identical meanings, can neither They nor be linked meaning unl stands asdifferentiated. whichitis background,from Noutterance have can “Any identifiableagainst somethingpresupposesa else something which it The theWestern in process makingcountries’ ofdivision ismore significant

Impossible exchange ess it stands out differentiatedess standsout it fromas Understood different, another. Justice andthe

nature, new this formto give is of othernessconstruction meaning, - contradictory neutral presumptions. contradictory neutralpresumptions.

ference. isnotabsolute Difference, otherness,a however, politics of difference . Verso, 2001:

and arbitrary Identity: Community, culture, difference

of the logicof the of by referring toTheodor identity 25

52.

the other thing: “ . Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University

rs” in the colonialism erars” inthe colonialism 68 divisions aredivisions the

The are different beings only

67

Without relations of Without clearest outcomeof

was of anwas of

2 (1990): 66

CEU eTD Collection Islamist/secularlogic produces ofreinforces identities and fake political disputes. not politics, ways.Itsimilar easilycan inpoliticalaccompaniment of twoidentityresult groups in economicsocialist and policies of theirpolitical tendencies thestate, actions in which shapes aspects.example, an thesame Using However, that itdoes they followthat not the political dispositions are different all in hold specifically Islamization orinstitutions. onsecularization society ofby thepolitical the and seculars,crudely relation disagree speaking, onthe groupmembers of fundamentallyIslamists one. each identity tobe theother different from betweenItcategories. thetwo inthesense politics theactual assumes thatit the misrepresents fromIslamist anotherdispositions who believes person insocialism. person mightofneo beinfavor ideas orseparationengagement oneitherreligion For andpolitics. of insta specific performances merely category. political The are not the individuals’ determined by and cultu theyareagainst However, it. there areeconomical, numerous social, political, ideological, based onone of specific aspect. Either employment they areofreligion or infavor politics, in asindividuals one practicingIslamistof political represent typediscourse. thesame andsecular identities The identical, holding beliefs thesame and performing same values, actions, social and the It onewithin identities. singleme unitof the presents actual social and logic categories two of people dividing into The puzzling. framework is the misrepresents Second,Islamist theframework versus of identities secular overlooks thesi Following thesam ral differences within oneralwithin particulargroup differences thatdifferentiates one within individuals,

necessarily a matter as ofexpediency,butas political ideology. the However,

political interactions twospecific political in - dimensional socia e argument, when comese it to argument, - liberal economic policies, which economicliberal distinguishes political his

l agents, who arel agents,group, ‘Other’ from who differentiated the Islamist anda secularmightthe neo agree on 26

mbers of one identity groupmbersas of one tobe identity ways. First, thedifferencesways. neglects it

between religion, and politics Islamist andsecular iden

nce, an Islamist annce, tities, the tities,

- milarities milarities liberal or liberal CEU eTD Collection binarycategories.categorizationin certaingroups disregards The of identities number of the political interactions and interests. andideas, practices dispositions, arein relation political social with and dynamically couldidentities onlyIslam as be ofas a understood part dominative discoursesIslamistgroups. thatinterest andsecular certainTherefore, power The religious beliefs,are practices,and ethicalcodes withthe dialectically inconnection means ofparticular circumstances andofsocial rather are outcomes relations, perceptionan intersubjective identification. ofarecollectively identities Religious by shaped static, and a thedynamic with context identity construction as process. universal, Toassume theidentities practices.First, dismisses it theongoingassembly of power, discourse, history,and social fails tograspof the the complexities Islamist/secular identities as countries thestructure anyMuslim comparative of onthe study 3.4 significant context of Turkey the in a argued research, meanings ofthis inthe rest highly differentiation is this ofthe identities specificcertain wouldbe Asit meaningsmight society, it ina inthe differ vastly other one. on particularandsocieties.context obscurespolitics forms thatcouldbe thevarious ofreligiousconstructed dispositions based content by interactions ofsocial means and nature The discourses. reductionist ofthe identity A SummaryFramework of the Theoretical Second, the logic of identities is misleadingSecond, is thelogic ofidentities reduces it the because types thevarious of To sumupthe theoretical framework of research, theconventional this IslamistAccording andsecular take differentand toAsad, identities shapes the connotations ofreligious/non historical concepts that exist objectivelyhistorical a is naïve conceptsconsciousness thatexist out ofhuman

While the Islamist the While andsecula

relation andpolitical between religious dispositions nd Iran. nd - religious/anti

27

- religious dispositions into two fixed fixed religious two into dispositions

a discursive tradition, in whicha in the discursive tradition, r identities mightr identities have

than theology. CEU eTD Collection social thelogicof id contexts, political ideas and practices. people’s While inspecific are political attitudes positioned becomeconceptual ofreference the points for lingual spectrums or multidimensional of Identities are pointsofindividuals’ theunstable identifiable thegroups’ objective politicaland thatmisrepresent attitudes categories interests. Itidentifiedgroups. by actual down different the scales sociopolitical into interactions disparities among belonginggroup and toonesingleamo affinities individuals entities symbolizes them 28 identification; they however, are to unable

as ahistorical anduniversal. ng individuals

CEU eTD Collection exampleswith 69 Islamist/seculara of picture among variations ofthe By identities theMuslims. asking be improvised.” whererecording is video dialogue researcher between question allows wasfor the themain preference reason ofsemi certain amongThe responses religiousrichness thatan identities thepopulation. interview of r minds. that theresearchermake subjects dialoguebridge should asa withthe conceptual the between herself.conversation is Since subjectivity bycreating means of sphere can thesubject an identify intersubjective inwhich subjectivity. toapproach theidentities is best Therefore, way the tounderstand individuals’ set with identities. depth semi ofreference.Ipoint identities, Topresent understanding aprofound theMuslim of chose in differMuslims from other each and non from is necessary Chapter4 ese

Arksey, Hilary, andPeter T. Knight. arch method. The researcharch method.The does

As identities areI qualities ofbeing/performing, about touse a the had qualitative To presentcomprehensive picture a aspects ofthe it identities, political oftheMuslim

naires. Arksey AsHilary K and Peter certain Islamist/secular identities, toother similar identities, social are positions, dynamic - structured w interviews to understand theindividuals through to understand . Sage, 1999: 34. – values, beliefs,values, and practices,

69 Methodology

Icritical sampling used tointerview peoplediversegroups topresent from

used)

and the only providingsphere, way an follows intersubjective of it

and for questions beand to clarified for and adap informant, allowinginformant, nuances

ith Muslims and triedtorelate Muslims ith totheir self

Interviewing for social not aim to representnot aimto the quantityand percentage of

- 29 night explain, inaninterview explain, “[there] c night held and performed by individuals’ held Muslims, theirown narratives areMuslims, thebest

a bottom - structured interviews ov structured interviews scientists: Anintroductory resource - up approach. To investigateup approach. To how to be captured (especiallycaptured be ted, and newted, ones - claimed er an be a

to - CEU eTD Collection Iran sections were of Skypeconductedand chat other by means video application getadditionregarding to responses provided theopportunityto doface and arrange to discussions a AKP’s demonstrationgovernment. big The against fieldwork the politic influencedevents.recent SincemyatMay of bythe thetime was thefirst protests, visit of yearwas only GeziProtest2013,thepolitical afterPark mentality the in one was highly meet various politicalactivists. Istanbul haveweeks to in a fieldwork first waspolitics comparable not tomyTurkey’sI ofTherefore, knowledge politics. didatwo and websites. politically ofactivities active withinthe political groupsjournals by means or major disputes. country’sI sociopoliticalrepresentative issues, aof eac tohaveasvoice tried one political from activists differentand groupswere interviewed.each selected Regarding reformists, Iran’sshaped isdivided politics by theparty main intwo groups, politics, principlist parties by iswidely officiallyHowever,government. whilepolitics recognized the Turkey’s affiliatedindividuals, withdiffe realize themselvesIslamist/secular ondifferent how individuals posit ofthe points spectrums. question Due to living in IranDue ofmy tolivingmost infor life, th To understand s regarding preplanned thefive While some oftheWhile interviewees we al groups,especially ones, wereactive, highly theleftist regular meetings having each consisting , the interviews were, theinterviews whenever inEnglish the done

the existing Muslim iden the existing Muslim

of various politicallyof various Igot intheireveryday involved and meetings. life Since it groups.Iran,rent Both Turkey in political thereare and

- my interview questions. For questions. interview my to - face and interviews aboutpolitical hear their

political dime - hand experience of Turkey’s social context, andto experience context, ofTurkey’shand social re famous political figures,re famous 30 tities inTurkeyIran,tities I andchose

relative e ofmy level Iran’s familiarity with nsions of the Muslim identity, ofthensions Muslim I could

parties. seven bothcountries, For

Iran’s the part, interviews interview felt comfortable felt interview s. Both Turkey in s. and

others were others

to interview to h part of the h part

life, in s and -

CEU eTD Collection and Method. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage 72 Vol. 5.Boston: Pearson, 2004: 142. 71 48 70 parts ofi theMuslim ideas ofbeingget the ontheconcept political They broad asked Muslim. were notto into Inthree part, the sections. interviewees first definition and were the requested topresenttheir willing they tohearabout what think. Ithoughts.I made they sure believe andam enough have sympathy withtheir thoughts IHowever, putting words tried my toavoid in mouthand interviewees’ manipulating their WheneverI of a thetopicwouldI clarification felt beuseful, some asked probing questi reluctantI general, issue. respondent usedof a mixture and specific, open respected atmosphere during theinterviewsbyintentionallybre “interesting”“right” by orand was whilehe nodding Iin awhile, reassure he fin Iinterview, Berg’s tookBruce advice toletthequestions my that toelaborate on interviewee bemethods to obta used, and structurephase,establishing opening for which includesintroducing the thecredentials, the IIstanbul,aware peoplemetin whic Ithe formal tooknotes interviews,from conversationswithpoliticallyI the informal had Inenough In in English. tospeak cases, inTurkishand we other Persian. addition to spoke

Adler, P.A. "Adler. P.(2002)'The reluctant respondent'." Berg, Lawrence, Bruce and Howard Lune. Keats, Daphne. - 49. ds more interesting.

The ont questions,listed IFor getting the before interviews, themain Daphne into Keats’s questions, followed

in anac

Interviewing: Apractical guide for students andprofessionals ademic interview. Itademic interview. a more resultedprevented open inand discussion the d my interviewee about soundness of his thoughts by saying ofhisthoughts like aboutd myinterviewee soundness by words dentitythey and onwhether focus thereisonly true think one

71

Itrevealing inamore resulted suggests, once As Adler narrative. ining factual

he TopicGu

: 528. : h were use

Qualitative research methods for the s

background data. background ide in the Appendix ide intheAppendix 31 d in theanalysis d in

talking. aking some of the formal rulesakingformal some ofthe

Handbook of Interview Research: Context 70 72

For the mainbody of the

Ia created friendly of the project. I I , were categorized in , were categorized - . UNSW Press, 1999: ended questions. ended ocial sciences

to ons. .

CEU eTD Collection theya researcher, meas“Westernized” see would be thatmyIslammy interviewees thinking about way a have bias about of because ARespons 4.1 religious identities. Islamist/secularbreaka binary through of and amulti depict identityMuslim identity narrativesMuslim oneand oftheir byshowhow one individuals’ overlyingamong structure na theinterviewees’ tolookintomethod ofpossible analysis it the makes relationships,contrasts,similarities, and themes orpatternsand triedtoclassify narrativescategories. therelevant thesame into This themes onthe theoreticalI framework and review. theliterature lookedin comprehensive picture based onthefive dimensions something’research about Thechoosing thecoding thepatterns process question. and we giveIslam relation their onthe of opinions and politics. regardintheirpart, c theactual questions were in tothe politics whether thereshould Islamicwere beasked any at mandatory/elective ifthere schools,or should course taught examples ofthe between dispute Islamicgovernance. and secular example, waysFor the of political life prescribedIslam.In questionstotheconcrete addition, by some pointed wereaske second concentrated part, connotations ofbeing the onthe questions political They Muslim. identity,interpretation Muslim Islamand In of orthey different account for versions. the In section this IAfter stage, theinterview employedto ‘say thematic tomake analysis thedataset d whether based on their understanding of Islam, ontheirof understanding thered whether way based isany particular of e to e MethodologicalCritiques Possible

, Iaddress, want main One critiques two to possible research. ofthis be a television channel run by the extreme Islamists/seculars.byaextreme televisionchannelberun In the last the . Therefore, analysis methodhad. Therefore, a analysis founding the deductiveapproach,

of Muslim identityof Muslim doing my speakingEnglish projectfordoing an 32 rratives. I rratives. onaspectscould deeply of focus

about whichtheprovide a projectto about aims

- dimensional spectrum of

ountry, themto demanding to therepeated to re y CEU eTD Collection centers politicsessentialist,anIslamic it into infusion ofaninTurkey.spirit on discu theyIslamicaremain Islam. be notshaping the will Asit supportingthepolitical discourse Iran. tothesimilar ones inAlthoughIslamic rule might the inTurkey, AKP’s schools support not necessarilyIslamist radical Islamist/of the the institutionalized extremists are notamajor sideofIsl thepolitical The disputes. representative interviewees among the false identity Muslim image bias. subjects’ this ofthe due to tomytheirsimilar thoughts issues, on questions. addition, abouthalffigures interviewees of the were previously public thathave expressed felt very representing enthusiastic as topresenttheir ideas an individual, group.In a political considered asAlmos demands a stageand their theinterviews identities. tovoice Islamistand andsecular of bothsides feel the theinterviewees disputes politically deprived, such problem. values resultinga relaxedpresenting/performing more atmosphere for in beliefs. their reading articles my o practicing Though Muslim. interviewees someabout ofthe knewmy by political attitude introducedvague myself witha reference to satisfy tobe urge my theyactually believe university. Therefore, they mewith morewould provide liberal/secular answers th ssed in the next chapter,ssed inthenext Islamist and whiletheIran identity in ishighly institutional Another critique might be that contrary to the IranAnother part, thatcontrary critique there tothe be might isno However, therewas controlling avoid another factor during that theinterviews could Since both inTurkeyIrancontinuously andis Since both religion inpolitics highlighted secular clashes mainly political is advoca . The reasons can be to lessen thetension during reasonscanThe be theintervie tolessen .

nline, I madenline, e themtofeelmy convinced b s . They donotbelong toany yITo avoid methodological their this issue, answers.

in Turkey

a period ofa my period life inwhich 33

. Therefore, togetalmost impossible was it My response mpathy forreligious ideas theirmpathy and ted by the AKP’s supportersted by who theAKP’s

institutionalized

is that unlike Iran, is thatunlike inTurkey

Iwas a extremelyreligious

Islamic school,

devoted anddevoted ws, or to t allofthem an what amic side

are CEU eTD Collection 73 the social toa life process issimilar play, and toplay tolearn thesocialization is how the constantly particular byIn theindividuals, framework, practiced resultingthis in identities. of beliefsa aspsychological stateofitemphasizes on rather mind; values of theaudienceheisacting for. reject account that ofbeliefs, Thissubjective the idea The conditioned and theparticular based thesubject expected on toact is that setting for. theycertain performancesassociated ideas. perform with sociologicalframe elaboratedformat, Erving Goffman’s power andinteractions relations, In social make incertain usbelieve sortofideas. a more the objective reasonability; rather,the conception ideas, Beliefs, of andare beliefs. notnecessarily values consciously by constituted have they but thinks, what effectson onetheob question donot the social atmosphere, contenteducation,and ofthecultureto the isexposed thatone andIn formulation, believes partthis anda of incertain thenitbecomes ideas her mentality. understanding ofknowledge true conclud as belief.’A person defines it ‘justified thinks, beliefs they and findthemjustifiable.Theepistemological because values and conventional consciousness ho in a framework researcher. skilled assumescertain This type areasonability of and andopinions ideas thatare objectively 4.2

Erving, Goffman. presentation "The of self in everyday li

refore, presentsconsidering different gazes, he types ofbehaviors theexpectations, and A TheoreticalAssessment ofDramaturgical Interviews However, the structural The interviewsco are work in which peoplework donotnecessarily in believeincertain ideas; rather, w people formw people and totheirbeliefs: access have

nventionally considered to be a way to have an access tothenventionally a consideredaccess way tobe an tohave

- functionalist critique of approachfunctionalist this adifferent into leads The Presentation of Self in Everyday ofSelfin Life The Presentation society’s complex web ofrelations, complex valuesociety’s impositions, there , in the subject’sbe and extracted mind could , inthe by 34

fe." 73

Garden City, NY: Anchor

These are performances socially jective natureofthe beliefs.

the performancesare that People

believe incertain

presents a

(1959). es,

CEU eTD Collection Vol. 5.Boston: Pearson, 2004: 100. 74 observant. Therefore, thereisasignificant betweenpresents relation someone what ashis onlyindividual hisother selfreturns inthe stage back to when audience, thereisno no the way acts thatanandintroducestothe individual herself the society expectations, andas audience. judgments its Other people’sobservations, shape psychological rather isconstantlyperformed stateof it mind; front which has stage, onthe perspective, people’sindividuality by constituted they isnot and beliefs opinions theideato doubt ofinterviewforIn ascollection. a data robust method Goffman’s andthe groundsthe statementscontexts, for different in hisanalyses. person inte and beliefs, how by into looking feasible that the interviewee sentiments toperceiveattributes the tocertain religious values her performance whi It toseefeelings possible only the is associates thatthe subject withsmoking marijuana in experienceby as an perceived thesubject;” open one isinterested inthe sensati interested inhowfrequently a subjectquestionnairemight smokesmarijuana, suffice,butif perspective differs thedramaturgical from oninterviews suggests one.He thatifone is of interviews Bruce asgives well. a Berg very actTherefore, should a asa social scientist dramaturge ofthisplay. assignedroles othe in the company of

Berg, Lawrence, Bruce and Howard Lune. rview asa indismissing collection data simply instrument results thedegree a towhich agrees/disagrees with acertainagrees/disagrees emotionstowardinterpretation it,his his position, of Goffman’s thefront betweenand stage theback distinction stage isparticularly useful andThis conceptionidentities, performances of inanew beliefs, understanding result le talking/thinkingexperience.In aboutway, the sameisonly it the

on of marijuanaemotion “the smoking,

s

he performs whiletalkingabout them. rs who arers whoofus. performinginfront their roles

Qualitative research methods for the social sciences 35 good exampleofhow the data collection

- ended interview migh

society. On the othersociety. Onthehand, an

- laden sensoryladen t be more effective.t be Posit ing the hold as a hold as . 74

CEU eTD Collection 76 narrative research 75 focusingwhich theideas by form narrative in are onthe presented can theinterviewee’s As itwas suggested inthe intervie themselves; orat thefor paralanguage tone,pauses ofinstance and laughte to tr performances their narratives. rather than Goffmanian performative Itinterview. notethat narrat to this significant is us human.” orderingsexperience ofhumancharacteristicarenot just narrativehumans,b into of “ Squire explains meaningresults inanother method ofinterviewing experienced named performs inth interview provides at a towhat inwhichtheas, setting performs least he subject or close ideasa closerhiseveryday wouldbring about of understanding lifeThe performances. interviewee.Therefore, crea he co Insociety. theinterviewee framework, present this already does ideas; his shaped not rather, andopinion performs society withth inthe

ansferred format. “Researcher butalsoits AsSquire explains may information, at hard look - Ibid: 43. Squire, Corinne. transcribefragments,gaps narratives, contradictionswithin and as asthewords well - performs and coperforms and Interviewing provides of individuals thechancecontent toinvestigate the notonly Questioning thenarratives thenature of asthe means merely the oftransferring

75

Therefore, there separation content isno betweenand theintervieweeof the e life. everyday

the experience "Experience 1 (2008): 43.

- constructs certain through the views conversation hiswith - based approach in which individuals are individuals approachbased inwhich identified withtheir ting a stage for the interviewee that would let him perform aforting his stage thatwouldlethim theinterviewee -

centred centred and culturally

- centered approach assumes approach centered thatseq ws on the emotions attachedws onthe tom

e social expectations,ofthe settings,e context social and 36 ive

- oriented approachesoriented to narrative." - based approach differs fromapproachbased the differs arijuana experience, uential temporaluential - centered approachcentered r around

Doing

words.” ut make . As 76 -

CEU eTD Collection construction and performance ofidentities the analysisI part understanding of this theinterview, back referred to ofinterviews as co thoughts his choosesIn to explain critical apparent as are statements. asthe meaning ofhis making excitedorfrustrated him and during the theconversation, the waywhichperforms, theinterviewee he theideasmore puts on thenotions emphasis, influencesaddition, it thewayElements thedataanalyzedsuchas shouldbe and interpreted. result inadifferent understandingvarious and methodsofconducting ofinterviews t say intheirthanthey pauses more say intheir dialogues. reveal that byfocusing bemerely couldhardly done ont data These viewing twocriticisms against a asrobustdata, interview way ofobtaining .

37

he content. people Sometimes he type of discourse thathe hem. Inhem. - CEU eTD Collection Abbreviation Table Iran.the ones in for the‘I’s eachabbreviationsand theme.‘T’refer to totheinTurkey refer The interviewees political toleration. However,I theorder resort the notto preferred interviewees’ of narratives ingeneral,the unityIslamand of politics p deformed the initial the analysis part, the multi extremelyIslamist to them from extremely anti political affiliations. Tohaveof the interviewees’ apresentation better narratives member of activists inTurkeyIran.and some ofthem While explicitly classified as a themselves As itwas ment The Interviewees 5.1 Chapter5 3T 2T 1T 4T 3I 2I 1I

1

Interviewees’Information agroup,preferred ora theothers political party withtheir toidentify themselves

- ioned intheMethodology 4) (Section part

Interviewee’s Name FindingsAnalysisand Here the interviewees isashort about introduction thisresearch: of Zahra Abolhasani Nihat Hatipoglu Taghi Rahmani Saim KurubasSaim Ihsan Eliacik Dilan Kupeli Hosein Mir order

. That for is, example,thefirst persona radicalabout that had idea - dimensional character identityof the Muslim different on issues

student ( making. ina She currently works named National in Iranin that is known for its Leftist foris known its view ofpolitics andmodern its Taghi the well knownpolitical most one activists is of Ihsan and activities. Hegroup ofan isamember influential Zahragot PhDinscienceand her technology policy Saim worksSaim a in recentlyestablished Think Dilan called Anti Nehat is a famous TV host in aNehat in religious TV a host is famous sho becomeTurkey. controversial in show hasand ideas his aofviewers lot sometimes Hosein international studies relations andalso is a resented a questionof moderateresented onthe view 38 is themainfigureagroup recently of influential

- is a Kurdish girl who votes for AKP. She is agirl votesforis aKurdishAKP. who is She Talabeh) Islamist. However,as wil it

Istanbul that publicly has spent years injailfor hispoliticalviewhas spent government - Capitalist Muslims thatwereCapitalist Muslims extremely OccupationActivities and understandingIslam. of - Religious ( Religious , the interviewees were, theinterviewees all political

in an institutionalized Islamic in aninstitutionalized school. veiled youngveiled girl. AKP supporter. research institute. Melli

supports AKP. supports - conservative pro and Mazhabi).

He’s known as an an knownHe’s as l beillustrated in

,

I sorted

The group The

Tank

w. His w. His

in in -

CEU eTD Collection follow the analyses. references are ofmyextract arguments underlined partsmake order easier inthe in it to to and dynamiccontextualized frameworkresearch of tounderstandempiricalto have us the how a the can findings help identityIran.heterogeneity the I Muslim and would employ inTurkey of theoretical the extract andcomparing to them Icited important themost parts as ofthetranscriptions ‘DatareflectingByeach Extracts’. on identity,‘Research presented inthe Question’ Eachfocuseson one particulartheme table based onone beI politicallycategorizedtables. insix Muslim.” version thetranscribed of theinterviews I order thematicmain research “what analysisto used toansweris tothe it in is questionthat 7T 6T 5T 7I 6I 5I 4I

Tirdad Bonakdar Banafsheh Ranji Hesam Salamat Zeynep Mustafa Polat Farhad Jafari Ahmet Firat

Altiok

conception ofpolitico individuals’ the otherI interviewees’ the narratives, can depict

Hesam sociology and studied teaches inasocial science institute. Heinstitute. frequently for writes some newsp online journals.as himself He a identifies secular social liberal whosupportsthe political figure afterhissupportfor Ahmadinejadthe in presidentialidentifies as himself election. a He Farhad isafamous nov Communication abroad.Communication She works for a newspaper Kurdish He rights going was activities. from banned to also theCHPparty theviceIstanbul of president inthe considers himselfconservative as Muslim asocialist writes politicala websites. forand He newspapers is Zeynepis of isamember Turkey’sparliament.She Ahmet a is political inasocialist activist group. He Mustafa been isKurdishand has i Tirdad has political studied science.He frequently Banafsheh and has Media Global studied 39 section. InI, inthe Appendix tables,section. presented

close tothe Reformists in active Protests. during the Gezi university a for while. of the dimensions of the Islamicof the ofthe dimensions secular nationalist. against AKP. democrat. elist. He becamea controversial - branch. religious identity. The main “ American systemofpolitics.

n jailfor hispro Iran.

apers and apers secular -

” -

CEU eTD Collection define identity. their Muslim “Belief/faith inGod, theProphetare andQuran,” thekeywords (1T, 2T,andallthe exclude of their political 3T) aspects understanding Islam of they when state as int explained moralrather Thisconceptionand issues. grounds provides forIslamic the thanonspiritual an 2I main that responsibility the thinks religion’s giveguidance isto worldly matters onthe shea the even priorityl Valie’s(Religiousfor sets leader level conformity inthe same as rules. table, As inthenext tothenoticeable Quran’s order todefinebea1I what it and obedience Muslim, is political tothe religious the puts advocated sect, Shiite institutionalized necessary by the todefine the Muslim IslamIran political meanings. ofits in regardless Islamists seepolitical readingIslam, the of the supporter governmentIran 2I)Islam, refer ofand (1I aspectsunderstanding tothe political oftheir of iden aspects, associationIslam intheirconception thefirm of suggesting politics Muslim and narrative the non of was onthe political connotat themselves from thepolitical intheir country,part, issues which and tothe second leave it conversationI intheir everyday thatthey distance needed life, toemphasize should of theiridentity. Muslim Since all theintervie political concerns aaside for perception while,and of think their thenon InfirstI interviews,intheput explained TopicGuide, partasked to the ofthe as them N 5.2.1 The MuslimIdentity’s 5.2 Dimensions tity. The was first observation Islamic obvious thefact the supporters of that while the The data extracts can be found on Table 2 in Appendix I. can2 inAppendix TheTable extracts be data found on on s ofthe so - PoliticalCharacteristics of - political identification, some found it inevitable identification,it torefer some found tothepolitical heof AKP following parts. Turkey hand, in Onthe other thesupporters - called Islamicgovernmentcalled Turkey in narrate their of understanding ions of beingions of However,a Muslim. whileco

Muslim Identity 40 wees wereconstantlyengagedwees withthe political

eader) ruleQuran‘s rules. before Similarly,

- constructing their - political aspects identity. Inidentity.

CEU eTD Collection importantly, are the 4Tandwho i bothunder 3I and aMuslim, liberal used intheir narratives identity. Muslim about Muslim Most “human intellect” keywords wererespectively, the that,Muslim, a a peace socialist terms thataregenerally for used thedefinitio intervieweescentral affiliations among concepts theoftheir political basic named the other address the non showimpressionsboth sides about the unityIslam the andpolitics, moderate of can ones Iran.girlabide in tothecoercive theextreme cases to whofeelsWhile rules obliged the from Islamicpolitical activity go nature dueofthe tothe long person been inTurkey fightingfor jailedfor whohad Kurdish whose aRepublican rights, whoareindividuals Islamicways beinginvarious byaK suppressed authorities: Islam,versions ofis which defined framework, inareligious peopleget only benefits SimilarlyIran,Tablealthough(See 3) in6I saidcan identity and that theMuslim 7I be not only a also inTurkey; religious hassocial and phenomenon andit political aspects. Islamic people’sto question beliefs have reasons Turkey.6Tar political in referredIslamic self tothe for political incentives someone’s Muslim identityMuslim political from identity the Islamistsfor Turkey. the in of the identity AKP supporters’of Muslim definition thatsuggeststhedetachability ofthe - lasting government a waslasting secularnationalist by overthrown AKP, “deprived from The thesethey interesting fourare about all theexamples point that of cases is IslamistsHowever, itwas the only whomentioned not thepoliticalof aspects

It also revealing tosee was thefacttodefine order that in identity, theMuslim the identity.extreme Theanti cases of - political aspects identit political oftheMuslim different from the ‘real Islam.’different the‘real from - Islamist “non n ofbeing 41 nfluence of the teachings of AliShariati, an nfluence teachings ofthe of

vernment,” yeasily. more a Muslim. “Equality,”a Muslim. “peace,” - believers” (6I, 7I, 6T, 7T)believers” also (6I, 7I,

from adaptingtonew themselves

- identification. 7T claimedidentification. that

and a non and

- r eligious modern gued that Islamgued is that urdish - seeking seeking

and CEU eTD Collection assertive conceptionIslamas of about theonly their own tr Islamicendorse institutionalized Islam. theother Iraniantrue wereIslamists as sects more characterconcept andtakesdi to isabroad forms diverse Islamic anti or versusMuslim’ ‘Bad iscommonamong theinterviewees. Muslim’ certain They non believe todetermineand whoisnot.position whoisMuslim However, t and true Muslim Muslim, fake stated Some that they Muslim. ina themselves donotsee boundaryMuslim classifying the a fewextremecases oftheinterviewees sides,most onboth that believe true inte Other Recognition5.2.2. The of of Types Being Muslim characteristicscontextualized identity ofthe Muslim easily can be tracked. or their politicalIslam, agendaaffectsof the theirinterpretation sociopolitical and cases.Islam readingconsciously is of Whether their modified tojus identitydefinition of Muslim haveand political his affiliations a reciprocal connection inall Islam.agendaInand conceptionof his thefact themain is point conclusion, that one’s “Islamcapitalism”, protects that again, ofthe politica reminds connectionof one one’s TableIslamist 6, the for supporter (1T)itsneo AKP, known of political aspectsIsla of thoughts. thinker,influential Muslim repeatedlyIslamicthe significance ‘equality’ emphasizedin of In theintervieweeswhetherIn question, were asked they thenext think The same be can mechanism casesIslamist seen and onthe inthe social thatfocus rpretation of Islam. rpretation of

the comparison of Turkey and Iran,comparison ofTurkeyIslamists and to Turkey the reluctant of were less - Islamicnot necessarily do acts identity. deny Muslim one’s The Muslim m in order tojustify agenda.m their be political will showninthe Asit

As itcan be seen - born individuals thecategoriesinto andnon ofMuslim

42 in the extracts presented in Table 3 extracts presentedinTable in the

fferent extents. ue version. ue

- liberal policies,liberal believes that he common ideahe of‘Good tify political attitude their In a veryIna radical

there obvious isno

there is there , aside from only one l - - CEU eTD Collection intellectualism represent necessities todayof the ofthe prophet’s societies compared religious The tothat time. believedIslam have that domains, the twoseparateothers and outtodifferent politics pointed Islamof ideasfromextracted thatcould be attwo separate all,the secularsand phenomena non prescription life social today.Islam forIslamist believe are our politics the that While and not asit thelegal mechanism. in the society. their of toexamine conception democracy Thiswas whether they andprescribe how theyIs deal thedisputes thestatebetween with think should necessitatedispositions any orbehavior.Another was sortof on political attitude question identityIn and political identity.whether other theytheir words, think religious/non Iresponses.to investigate tried mainly their onhow Muslim they therelationbetween see identity,Muslim questionsbased theintervieweesasked ontheir previous were personalized Muslim of Political5.2.3 The Identity Connotations rest oftheanalysis. willingnessIslamican which haveblockinworldbe will to both addressed politics, inthe asother ‘re Muslims quite common amongextremist authorities. official The Shiite by recognitionofindividuals legitimate nation rightby rule to the the ImanarrativeIslam theShiite which in of Islam.Islam defensive quality The Shiite can traced of b be of response,even 2I thinks There is a very crucial point of dispute on whether or not IslamThere ofdisputeonwhether ornot isaverycrucial h point To answer t o the main question of theresearcho themainthe political question connotations ofthe on

al/true Muslims’ relates Muslims’ al/true toleration tothequestionson level and of the atives (4T,were 3I) concerned ofmodernization withthe projectof The data seen extracts be inTable can 4.

the Sunnis Caliphate asthe Sunnis thesource inthe historycorruption of of caliphates ms were alwaysandms were deprivedoftheir distressed and be applied some tothe modernWhile and life. be 43

. TheIslam rejection of other of sects is - believers hold that there is no certainbelievers isno holdthatthere set

ack tothe mainstream lamist andsecular lamist demands

as any political Shiite Shiite - religious CEU eTD Collection conceptionreligion, about their argument. debate Nevertheless,discloses ofMuslims’ thediversity this ofthe starting points sociologicaland descriptivestudy withthe concerned theoretical isnot each accuracy of the religious Although laws. are thenarratives clearl Islamic sphere inthe private thereneed life isno the power ontheir toenact central for own, Islamictheir life sphere.” intheare private thatsinceable He toadjusttheir Muslims believes that wea can can secularand and Muslims have thea neutralgovernment same [at time] response tothesecondargument, secular(4I)could a“Therefore beargued socialist says, it responsibili the region, prophecy’swanted government,a thereforehe tomake central of ontop his government. responseisthatbefore My hisprophecy therewas no the first one,5I“ says, Islamic sense,this isthe the safeguard state Islamic ofrules. the in order topreserveand Islamsecondthat argument asserts amountofsocial arules significant and has political which in thethe Prophet toMuslims, giveanda politics religion model entangled.” are The establishedgovernment; a we needI an tohave was the toreferprophetclaim thatthe totheof same prophet that time with andreasons anti Islamiststhe claims onapolitical requirement fixed byIslam a dynamic and indicated and IslamIslam withhumanand rights. ofa presenting version consistent that is They rejected - essentialist reading of Islam.essentialist reading of However, thesefaceIn to arguments by responses thesecular interviewees. response IslamistsThe providedtwoarguments toaccountIslamic order in the One for state. ties. So weties. So saygovernment can’t was In of a making the hisprophecy.” part But Is But

practice thesociety; in aforIn thereneedIslamic them an is state. lamists claim that the Prophet was that claimthatthecreated theonlyprophet lamists a resulting in various sorts of Muslim identities. sortsofMuslim resulting invarious

44 slamic government: “ slamic

y each with other, inopposition this

integrated governmentintegrated in The tradition andlifeThe of tradition

djust djust CEU eTD Collection clear not enactedIn is addition, it why inthesociety. “scientific capable isnot a discourse” to Clearly,not convincingIslam’s why be statement shouldnot this regarding is political laws (5T)secular states: butpracticingMuslim to present elaborated aconsistent justify and ofideas For their set examplea beliefs. to character identity. Muslim of are not Muslims havelevel internalized ofdemocracy certain political views. ontheir Islamistthe radical rules(5I, 6I). Nonethe resistance 7T,3I, (4T, 4I, it 5I, toreverse tosuggesting 7I), toveto Court National a Supreme ranged accepting from thelegalityproposing theand and education lawcultural social of requiredand say a they whether themtotake stance would accep thieves, regardless ofwhetherisactually it an asked them toimagine thata so the mechanism ofmajorityAs issues. a rule oncontroversial probing ques todecide Islamiccondition forrule. the Except acceptfor arole p legitimacygovernment comes from ofthe thanfrom though Godeven people, rather they the religious ofIranian hispopularregardless support.TheIslamists leader believe the Islamistsrejects theWes (1T) prescribethat Muslims Islamist secular todeal the ofthe with versus One Turkish demands. but theyFiqh. theyare areSo all discourses.” scientific more Islamintervene doesnothave has political inpolitics. discourse.it some infact, Well, I Ipunish. Islam What say cannot Islam thatdemocratic. not not is say is, should “The thethief hands Sharia aredemocracy, of cut butunder under h they One tobeconsidered crucial point the data ininterpreting notethe isto performative Another heterogeneous identityaspect ofthe Muslim pertains to eople in establishingIslamiceople state. in the Therefore, supportisa popular the tern of notion democracybebo claims thathe and will - called radical Islamic rulecalled radical hands such asof the cutting for the radical Islamists, all other the radical intervieweesaccept

less, it could besimply could less, it how all Muslims observed 45 “ all philosophers or social scientists tobeableall philosophersor social scientists Islamic law,

gains themajority’sI support. t this law.Thet this answers

the legal mechanismthe legal ave casesave to tion, I tion, u nd to CEU eTD Collection addressedI talkson the East. Middle intheintellectual asked some the interviewees Islamists(Radical andradical are Atheists) among rights, ofa andthe mandatoryprivate limits veiling, well women 5.2.4 Muslims’Political of Level Toleration a theological inducement. formed by thesocial interactions,dominating interviewees’confirm narratives and politica that the religious theoretical of more theproject part, andwill part bediscussed indetail inthe conclusion necessarilya theological byhas Asit formulation been ofinthe religion. presented is mainly questions regardingIslam Therefore, politics. political therelationbetween identity and their that p non long from aggressive time theRepublic’s against outthe points theKurdish policies people, Islamas andSimilarl violent brutal. the West,responses forms his centering ofthea mainstream rejection of onunderstanding primarily presentingconcernedIslam a of picture with peaceful studying me,a to in student irrelevant question.Forpeace example tothe a response are consciously, notnecessarily performed fullcontrol oftheagent. the social under be narrative usedofa as system.However, this thebasis legal - . HavingLGBTIslamic mandatory/electivecoursesat on schools,disputes issues and neutral features of the Turkey’s secular system onthe Kurdishneutral Turkey’s system issues. ofthe features secular eople are ’s Islamists andseculars a oftopics have lot Thesome other narratives present, same an applies idea some extent, tothat

rights,are theresome highlighted conditioned concern

with ed withtheir own everydayed

in

the necessities of y, respondent suffered whoa Kurdish has for (6T) the

subjects thataresubjects familiar 46 discourses, andinterests, discourses, power

the

about which todisa about which

sociopolitical context the topics that have been frequently the topicsthathavebeen issues rather than grand theoreticalgrand issues rather than

TV channel run by the extremists TVextremists channel runby the - seeking devoted Muslim (3T) whois seeking Muslim devoted

l dispositions are mainly reveals that Muslim identities identities thatMuslim reveals

gree.In addition to to a Westerner mind to aWesterner

theylive in Itargued be can

rather thanby ,

and not

as CEU eTD Collection favor courses of mandatory makes religious at schoolsthat LGBT couldaskit bedisturbing on questions groups. to too far awaytobeeven from asked. their horizon countries.in both demandsIslamists The of the enactIslamicIn addition, alegal laws. the systembasedone was onSharia ofthe law central for no andIranian governmentalIslamist an offices, womandefends compulsory the veilingeven Islamist for tobe womanwouldable thefreedomat ask towear headscarves schools ofdress consider itas a dem Iranon alcohol in makeIranian isaverynot ordinary lawevenIslamist an thatdoes to general; public. in consumption all thealcohol hewith is However, andisconcerned the ban Iran.andIslam Forexample, a Turkish be should Islamists. underit theof control Their idea run byfineIslamicsaid is only it seculars, they alsocan as the ideasbepresented. as long the For of whether example, there on thequestion TV channel be theycan think an uncontrolled negation ofrule, theGod’s and theoth not tolerate incases the One for Atheist,and twowas secular activities mainreasons. the significantly moderate thanor lower the non seculars Isltoleration ofthe among bothsides, extremists the opposing sphere. ideas inapolitical questions regarding topics inorder these toexa n - ThereIslamists difference of isameaningful Turkey inthe political demands in The diversegiven most Asexpected, responseswerethe part. inthis level of Muslim women. Nevertheless, women.sides endorse both to Muslim coercion extents different to l TV show was aIslamistwas debatecouldchallenge ansecularl TVshow inwhich the But ideas. and. (1T, 2T,1I,and. (1T, 2I) Similarlyontheveiling a Turkish issue, while

Data Extracts areData 5. Extracts presented inTable er was the misleadingwaser them the character for of thepublic. ist would not ask for a ban on alcohol consumption in wouldnotaskfor consumption ist a onalcohol ban 47

mine to what extent the Muslims tolerate theMuslims mine the towhat extent

idearecognizing oflegally

Theyalready responded inaway have that amists andamists anti - believers. Islamistsbelievers. stated thatthey do Finally, the Islamists wereIslamists Finally, the all in the study of Islam mandatorythe studyof - Islamist were

LGB

T people wasT people CEU eTD Collection inquired about their impr identitywhetherI from theytheMuslim think the isdifferent European Next, identity. 5.2.5. one’s dev I Thisindicates necessarily that theminthe table. isnot there sorted correlation a between the leveldifferent oftoleration amonginthe same onnot theinterviewees was orderas issues shows, or a (5I) liberalacceptingIslamists secular radical hosting the TV sho Itfactor (4I) init. was toseehaving remarkable LGBT Muslim fine a being devoted with TV beli TVIslamists channels aslong violence. for donotadvertise asinterviewees they The freedombeliefs.elective They at practice to schoolsand all allowed religious their courses have and request their tobenon secular demands thestate Islamistsstate toengage thatrequirereligious theThe secularsalso issues. radical withthe all parts ofthe face) thebody except shoul nationalist secularIrani parliamentexplicitly (7T)Likewise,ban wants onveilingstated thatshe a inthe public. the thepublic. the freedom in Muslims ofdressingThe of memb CHP differentiated ones.seculars the radicalmoderate More significantly, from some opposed elective to Opposition (7T, 7I) religious atwasone courses schoolsofthe that subjects believers’ whatright they want choose studyat to schools. even for non eved a thatthereisnothing compulsionwith promoting wrong an unlessthereis idea The Will toHaveInternational Islamic Will an The Union Are Muslims really different? ToanswerAre really questionI Muslims tothis different? asked toassess Muslims Aside from th The other ideasindicators spectrum’s sideof of included the intoleranc some otedness to Islam andher to otedness - believers. The proposed compulsion cancount proposedbelievers. The asintolerance be compulsion toward non e cases,tolerant were extremist theother theothers allwith people’s an activist said thatan Chadors(a ession on a union of Islamicession ona countries unionof and similarities based onthe

level of tolerati level of d be prohibited. Therefore,d be prohibited. only isnot it theradical 48

on.

large piece of cloth that covers almost coverslarge piece ofcloth that -

neutral toward public disputes. public disputes. neutral toward

erTurkey’s of the ws. However, e as well. -

CEU eTD Collection has been theoretical discussed inthe framework. These withthe reactionary narrativescharacteristicIslamist movementsthat ofthe are inline blockasMuslim an opportunity power toresist the colonizing of theWe anti overLeftist, the world. Their i could beseen intheir narratives, Islamism,towardIslamic they of were favor bothin ofan theidea block.as However, it the Kurdish (6 However,identities. were thatneed Although twocriticalresponses there attention. further the foreign beIslamic must based andbenefits’ relations onthe‘interests rather than besides only identity one different him thatdoesn’tframeworks, have which makes fromit.” (2I) one Westerner, butwheth and they behave orbelieve inacertain way: “ claimEuropean. didnot that thoseideasby they are actually However, Muslims internalized emphasized ontheideas The andEuropean narratives onan that insisted essentialbetween being difference Muslim ofSome themused thecase ofEuropeantodeconstruct categories. Muslims the dichotomous asthe‘Others.’of Muslims mutual interest. Theresponses were from quite different the mainstream Western concept dentity;rather, they toreverse wanted thehegemonicof domination theWest andcapitalism On theIslamic questionof unionconsistedmajority theof Muslim countries, allthe intervieweesAlmost re T) and the T) er they are different, Iare theyknow! some er Cause don’thas different, a Muslim

- that are notfor for a and supposed tobea important Muslim ‘ based/expres anti

Some extractsSome canseen be inTable 6. - capitalist Muslim they - neo jected the binary of Muslim and EuropeanMuslim the jected binary identities. of - werewith empowering notconcerned theMuslim sive response (1I),all theother respondents sive response stated that liberalist and antiliberalist and 49 A Muslim should be should differentMuslim from a A ’

(4T) respondentsexpressed their resentment - imperialist agendaperceives the

stern countries.stern

ion CEU eTD Collection powersome extracts status.be would Reviewinghelpful: recognize theway the politicalIslamist/secular role ofinthe framework identities relatio ofpower There Table narratives of 7. isaselection these presentedin interpretations ‘distinct ‘religiousIslam’, dispositions’, of ‘Is or narrativesgenerally based‘interest’, ‘benefit’, on‘power’,and were ‘expediency’rather tha that wason politicalcentered mainlyinterests rather The thanreligiousfocus disputes. ofthe about the political situatio thepolitical eachwould explain ofthe While countries. context narrative atosay lot has inTurkeyIranpolitics tosee and howmy interviewees’experienced ADiscourse ofPolitics AnalysisNarrative 5.3 onMuslims’ ------Islamist aradicalAs itcana to radical be observed,all from interviewees secular, se After aspect thevarious capturing

themselves as they believer; as it a(7T) tool. use IReligion usedby that is believeare people non a It groups] disputeapparent between has political roots intheir moreinterests [the At thetimecare ofAKP Muslims about moremoney.“AKP (6T) isCalvinist.” about their religious used a thatis beliefs,just by tool butit’s theAKP regime… IslamicAKP isonly Of that at level.course thereare people discourse TheIran] differencetwo major [betweenpolitical groups in iseconomical. (5I) They onlyreligion winthepolitical to power. use [AKP] (5T) economic interests. (4I) Islam, irreconcilableare they but politicalgroups with twodifferent TheyIran] groups majormight political in [two have different of understandings AKP usesIslamgetting symbols only of for (4T) votes. interpretations (3I) and interests. andis The principlists betweenfounded dispute reformists onb accordance and get tothat their values beliefs changed.(2I) thethe powerpeople’s Men like power about sohein other and world… talks Onegainso want to power employed rule.(2T) AKP under better It’s thatto show theyReligious for people beneficial can get are Muslim. IIslam of thebenefits that onegets think endorsessome being by(1I) a Muslim. AKP makes a nd benefits. (6I) in which holding identityin which certain Muslim orhurtwould benefit someone’s

sense ofempowerment.sense (1T) n inTurkeyIran, and

he talksabout freedom, people’s toget want the other s of the Muslim identity, I identity,s ofthe Muslim actual turned tothe

50 Iput my attention on thecommon

-

believers, butintroduce

lamist vs. secular’ vs. struggles. lamist

-

centered narrativecentered

oth religious oth religious

ns. Theyall political and political

are candid discourse

e n

CEU eTD Collection narrative research 77 strugglesand myconclusion wouldbe that interviewees’ identity by political ishighly affected thepower there,the political situation political identity. butalsoabout theirapparent own The experience the imbrica with power relations. be easily identitiesare tracked inthe narrativesreligious inareciprocal howthe connection

Squire, Corinne. "Experience same as the Remembering ofGeertz’sconceptioncritique ofreligious Asad’scanit dispositions, - ted innarratives.”

- opportunity in life that youopportunity lose if in life that IranI Tranquility in theremightbenefits a think Muslim. be tobe isan centered na elements of domination and domination elements subordination. of narratives

1 (2008) As

rratives ofpolitical inTurkey activists Iran, and aboutonly speaks not

Squire 77 : 43. :

that he identifies with. Therefore himself be argued could the it that

T - he interviewee’s beliefs personality, character,and are views, centred centred and culturally

suggestse onthe 51 you’re (7I) notaMuslim.

xperience - oriented approachesoriented to narrative."

- centered narratives, centered

“Humans are

Doing CEU eTD Collection 79 Middle East Journal 78 the government thenecessity realized of ofdismissing some fundamental aspects sense,this thepost Islamictraditional di canRevolution also affectsof the themeaning word ‘secularism’. Iranianand toreferbetween secularismis FrenchAmerican tothe the and differences ones. than inTurkey. Ir Therefore,politics. in beclaimed could that it secularism inTurkeygovernmentissues, but used for onreligiousa is it Inreligion Iran politics. other from words,isused in thea term neutral todemand Iran ofreligion inTurkey theseparation andpolitics, implies entails it became prototype reform the for moderni ofTurkish Anglo French two beshould clarified term sociopoliticalthese ‘secular’connotations in thatthe different has of the theoretical framework. Islamic Identities a6.1 Heterogeneous as of Set Positionings Chapter6

Göle, Nilüfer. "Secularism andIslamism Turkey: in Themaking and elites of counter Ibid: 48. countries. As Gole points out, “ out, countries. As Gole points - Saxon liberalism, Frenchwith Saxon highly Jacobinism, its centralizedmodelof change, In thehistoricaladdition to reasons In part, this word ‘laiword

- not

A very good framework forA very understanding thedifference between theTurkish Conclusion cite’

-

be cons (1997): 48. revolution period in Iran period in revolution more was pragmatic ideological. than Gradually, I try will inthe toreadtheanalyses presented scourses; contrary, it hasscourses; contrary, it retained manyIn secularfeatures ofthe past.

than it is to theword isto ‘ it than

ideredreligious as one a

In tostudy order

The Turkish political concept l for this distinction, thecurrent situation thisdistinction, for political secularism. 52

the Muslim identities inTurkey identities Muslim Iran,the and it

Nikkie Keddie claims . She states that it was not areturn. She states was thatit to not sts ’” .” 79

78

Therefore, whilesecularism in an has aan more has liberal The reason is that The reason that is claim previousin the light section aiklik is closeraiklik is tothe

to eliminate religion from the

that the Islamicthat the exclusion of exclusion “ Rather than - implication elites."

The

CEU eTD Collection Middle East Journal 81 Review 80 theAKP’s secular opposition, are demands radical more compared to Since in T “ in Turkey secularsbeen hasrecentlychallenged just by the framework. anti appealsget T easily blocked. in follow that allpolitics IranIslamic an have character; on it Iranall formal intake politics governmentIslam a with referenceof tothe firm interconnection and politics. nature. T markIslamic been Republichas has happened through governmental expediencies. decree thateven prayer Quranicrulescould inwhichhe like stated besubordinate repeated thereligiousauthorities. A several good by examplewouldb times IslamicIranoverIslamic notion thelaws isanexplicit practicethathas Republicof been of conserv There isapotentia

Keddie, Nikki R. "Secularism state: andthe towards clarity and global comparison." Göle, Nilüfer. "Secularism andIslamism Turkey: in Themaking and elites of counter - urkey, Islamic demand.IranIslamic Therefore, outofthe seculars claim cannot topolitics in , contraryIran, to

226 (1997): On the other hand, Turkey However, since ative Islamic inorder rules ative tostrengthen state. the he secular reformists have reformists alwayshepolitical secular faced are always the idea of secularism/the idea of

24.

(1997): 48. l conflict ofinterestl conflict betweendemocracyand secularism

maintained

exclusion of the exclusion

an appeal byIslamican of ispossible outside politics the to the discourse the 1979 Islamic Revolution in IranIslamicthe 1979 in Revolution

he priority expediencydoes allow anyreligious not of over rules

p lace within an Islamic an frameworklace within ed by

by laicite has

both

refu a history long Republicanism and of theauthority of “

non is a tool tois atool power and bears it

Islamic non and sing democraticfor sing demands - I 53 slamic

rise ofAKP’srise ”

political groups. The historypolitical groups.The ofthe - 80 obstacles Islamic sides. ,

The priority ofpreserving the the Islamizationthe of thep ly means that antily that means power. The political The disputes power. .

However, i However,

created

the an anti an

their their

As Gole argues,As ones in Iran. in ones Atthe

.” by the e Khomeini’s non 81 - t doesnot AKP nature. In sense, this

-

Consequently, Isla New Left - - elites." Islamic d to mic olitics olitics

The CEU eTD Collection Islam and of fixed absolute image on abase well their understanding IslamistsIslam, they notnecessarily of did expressmoderateversion political amore didnot a ‘True interpretationsIslam.It wasIranian of Islamists hada clearthatunderstanding more of rigid section 5.2.2,where same availableIran. extent in section (Section 3.1.1), the in the political demands andasissuggested behaviors it Post inTurkey, the inTurkeyinstitutionalized Faqih) reference topolitics. couldHowever,Islamists theeasily Turkishtheir understandingIslam address of a without identity,the Muslim was it the political sphere contexts. identitythese forMuslim differencesfaces diverseaccount can ofpolitical indifferent evenproductionlegal andalcohol for banonany consumption non and inpublic, pursueIranianalcohol a consumption ban on Islamist has As ithasbeen suggested same time, might even supersede the authority of Quran. even theauthoritymight ofQuran. supersede The essentialist As presentedidentity 5.2.1,Muslim takes insection different also shape Islam’ fr that distinct is

Turkish . When Islamists’ politicalIslamists’ requests are les the interviewees were asked whetherendorse werethe interviewees asked they different For an IranianForanIslamist, the authority ( radical Supreme ofthe Jurist

and institutionalized and institutionalized as an example

re and fixed essential isno asked thoughts for their thenon presenting on as it is in Iran.Islam of Although the spirit as isin ca it unimaginable

om the other versions.’ ‘worldly

- is defined and articulated formulation of Islam.articulated formulation defined andof also in section 5.2.4, while an Islamist5.2.4, whilean Turkey in section might

in line with Soaresin line for IranianIslamists separatefor to understandingIslamIran shown in was of also 54

However

doctrine ofa politicized s extreme compareds extreme theones i to ’s

, and Osella’s ideaand on Osella’s

Is Although Turkish the lam is not as not lam is - pr acticing Muslims. already n easily getn easily infused - political featurespolitical of Islam from politics.

- Islam Islamism s achieved aachieved Presentinga

outside of outside

how

to the n All

Valie Iran. ny in CEU eTD Collection Anthropological Institute 82 Islamiststhe called a of certain extent positionings. the theoretical framework, their beliefIslamic intheresearch concept asthis broad ofBut state. religious and toass andpolitical identities reductionist inthe sense that identity among and similarities ignoresgroups. the themembersofdifferentThe logic is arguedpart, the inthe theoretical logic ofidentityoverlooks thedifferencesdismiss of members invariousgroup. identitywas Asit aspectsineach catego identity, theMuslim on thefivenarratives dimensionsof identity Muslim the of reductionist presented of thisresearchcritiq ofthe inthe perspective views was i already presented on differentIslam ofthe points b adaptation time. themodern to has reinforced presenting a “unitary, etween the Islamistsetween in the

Soares, Benjamin, andFilippo Osella. "Islam, politics, anthropology." rized in fixed binaryrized infixed groups It is The diversityamo

in section in section

interesting to note that even the most extreme cases of Islamism cases eveninteresting have extreme tonotethemost that int of to presentcomprehensive identities theMuslim a of picture

the

reified pictureIslamas of an pheno essential democratic attitude. IndemocraticIslamic attitude. ofthegovernment of defense

it the“most democraticit inthegovernment world 3.3

timeless, andunchanging”

15, no.s1 (2009): S2.

reconfirms the extent to which the Islamist/secularreconfirms towhichthe theextent framework is Turkey ng Muslim identities is not is identities merely ng Muslim Muslims identifyMuslims ina set heterogeneous of themselves it asks todisregardit us themulti n the

ist

and Iranand - secular spectrum. The clear variationsecular spectrum. among Muslims’ . Even theterms ‘ Findings and AnalysisFindings and .

On various issues, Muslims positioned Muslims issues, themselvesOn various ume that Muslims areume that Muslims only based differentiated on

55 ue of the ‘Misleading Logic of Identity’Logic the‘Misleadingue of of

82

view of Islamview of by Muslims ‘ IranianIslamist ’

section

- limited tothedifference limited the differences inoneunitof the differences dimensional character of menon, incapable of

. Reviewing the findings. Reviewing the Journal of the Royal ’

,

or ” she believes since that shows ‘ . Turkish secular Turkish As could it beseen , corresponding, to to Iran, of one

Westerners could be not ernalized s

CEU eTD Collection definition of theMuslims’ non narrativesMuslims’ Islam.In definition of section was oftheir 5.2.1,it outhow pointed Islamism. However, the worldsystem only declinethe power is theof functions onepower of of political means concept, produceda used hasbeen as and instrum of su thereidentities, Islamicestablishment of of were an supporters the international Although theinterviewees almost all dichotomy European rejected the and ofMuslim inte formationIslamicmovements mostly oftheorder is tochallenge hegemony in theWestern in Power 6.2 contr be argued there that isnothing religious have andallowingIslamists to at courses TV schools, programs. Therefore, could it also their expressed dem Islamists. onlyamong tothe The limited radical not are theMuslims seculars/non wi govern thefinding thea society.result, As identitythe Muslim depicted also Islamicthe government disappearwill people as donotwant soonas it.

rprisinglythe non among even th fundamentalism. Another remarkable was thatthe non observation the rnational relations, rather thana astingbeliefs. and practices

interviewees sought the Islamic the interviewees itsexpressive function, sought butasan for unionnot The reciprocalrelation an between power Ita reference by Falk,thatthe Schwedler,and hasbeensuggested toNicola, Ayoob ent reverse to

Struggles Masked Behind Struggles IdentitiesMasked the andscertain onareligious ban on such as teaching acts veiling, Western and capitalistic

- unique about Islamic identitiesunique abouttomake themintolerant to political aspects of Islam with their political political aspectsof interconnected is -

believers. The socialist andbelievers. The anti socialist a high level of belief indemocratica ofbelief inorder level mechanisms high to revival of an Islamic nostalgia ofrevival an s of this research s ofthis 56

d Muslim identity Muslim seencould bealso inthe d

hegemony.

of

falsify the equation of Islamism of theequation falsify attaining political benefit. Islamism, toany similar other - neoliberal of attitudes some

(Sections 2.1and 3.1) (Sections - Other narratives of tolerant attitudes attitudes tolerant

union, - believers .

CEU eTD Collection 246. 83 Islam.Islamist clashesbetween Therefore, andsecular the i the framework of economi political and (Section 5.3). Myinterview their countries religiousand isfundamentally practice theory a …Thediscourse connexion does necessarilybetween not religious induce dispositions struggles withinthe society, ratherthan interpretationsIslam: different “Theological of result, that one i political life experience might Marx as religion 3.2), t (Section suggests that one ishighly holds correlatedwith understandingIslam. of political identity mostly were based their agenda religious ratherthan ontheir on political identity. The respon Islamno meaningfuldefinition of relation between theinterviewees’ andtheir Musl the keywords that, respectively, Muslim, a a peace socialist Islam. wasfoundationsit ofsuggested, “e As agenda. see Muslims the

Asad, Talal. "Anthropological conceptions of religion: reflections on Geertz."

im t Theanalysis discourse oninterviewees’ experience he formation ofdifferent of sorts Consequently presented asofthe central one aspect determinative s involved in s involved

could also be understood by Asad’s sociological be understoodcould of by Asad’s religion also perception s es , it could be claimed that the power position andthe claimedpolitical identity could that, it position be the power

, shapes (/and is

on thequestion whether a Islamon they think prescribes

basic their defining politicalas attitudes concepts a of part of the ee s all viewed dispute thepolitical s

he are religiousfrom dispositions notdetachable o c than on interests based rather

shaped by) therel by) shaped advocate her identity. religious Islamic identities quality,” “peace,” quality,” 57

matter ofmatter power.” . The socialand relations thepower. struggles

igious identity that oneholds.Asaigious that identity

is highly tothe power related - - centered narraticentered s seeking Muslim, and a Muslim, liberalseeking

of Islam.In there of addition, was As Asad’s conception ofAs Asad’s s intheircountries more inthe

dentities inTurkeyIran and and “human intellect”“human were and 83

different interpretationsdifferent of

Man ves of politics in politics ves of ny of sort

(1983): 243 and political ne’s CEU eTD Collection 84 different ofreferencepoints power forwhich relations, get positioned h beliefs, v includingIslamist/secular the essencea but identificationwhic or suture, Hall argues, one’s identity everyday practices necessities. life and The theolog interviewees’ narratives Islamof was and Asit politics. claimedthe performative earlier on natureof expressive nature an ratherinstrumental one. than Islamicdevoted TheIslam Muslims. character ofIran political ismore Turkeyandofan in were tobe seen

Hall, Stuart.Hall, "Cultural identity anddiaspora." (1990) People are not social theorists toconsciouslyPeople are theorists formulate notsocial

alues, andare performances positioned social and politicalsocial contexts. “Cultural are identities theunstable of the pointsofidentification, points positioning by means of social struggles,and interactions. relations, discursive power by means As

rooted inpowergarooted

(Section 5.2.3) (Section .” 84

h are culture. thediscoursesand within Notan made, ofhistory Therefore, various types of multidimensional Muslim identities, identities, Muslim Therefore, ofmultidimensional various types

ones, o points are thedynamic mes

, Muslims , Muslims bypresent conditioned their ideas their before being originated from Islamic commitmentsof beingfrom originatedbefore 58 .

Accordingly : : 226.

ical discourse only gets internalized discourse ical only

n which individual , Muslim identities are identities , Muslim the eterogeneous shapeseterogeneous based on their theoretical s conceptions ’

set of in CEU eTD Collection Bayat,"What post is Asef. Stanford University2007. Press, Bayat, Asef. Baudrillard, Jean. University 2009. Press, Baker, Raymond William. world Ayoob, Mohammed. Islam:Ayoob, "Political Mohammed. reality." image and Occasional Pap IdeaAsad,anIslam. Talal. Anthropology ofCenter of The for ContemporaryArabStudies Europe andAsia Asad,"Religion, Talal. nation Islam Asad, Talal. 237 reflectionsAsad,"Anthropological Talal. ofreligion: conceptions onGeertz." 1961. Asad, Muhammad. Armando, Salvatore. resource examples with Arksey,and T.Knight. Hilary, Peter (2007): 656 interlocutors." Anjum, Ovamir.a "Islam discursiveAsad as tradition:Talal and his Berkeley,[Calif.]: Mizan Press, 1981. Algar, Hamid. Context andMethod.Oaks, Thousand CA: Sage Adler, P.A."Adler.'The (2002) P. reluctant respondent'." 1993. Abrahamian, Ervand. Bibliography - 259. . JHU Press, 2009. . JHU

. University ofM

-

672. Genealogies of religion: Discipline ofreligion: andreasonspower inChristia of Genealogies Making Islam democratic: movements Islam Social thepost Making and

Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa andtheMiddle SouthAsia, Studies of East Comparative I erWashington, Series. Georgetown DC: University, 1996. slam and revolution: Writingsrevolution: declarations and Imam of Khomeinislam and

(1999): 178 (1999):

Impossible exchange Impossible

The pr

The manyreligion andpolitics faces The Islam: intheMuslim political of Islam andthe discourseofmodernity political

Khomeinism: essays on the Islamic essays RepublicKhomeinism: onthe ichigan Press, 2009.

. Sage,. 1999.

inciples of state andgovernmentinciples ofstate Islam in

- Islam without fear: EgyptIslam without andthe new Islamists Islamism?." - - 196. state, secularism."

Interviewing for socialscientists: Anintroductory for Interviewing

. Verso, 2001.

ISIM Review

59 : 515

Nation andreligion:PerspectivesNation on

-

16 (2005): 1. 36.

WorldJournal Policy

Handbook of Interview Research: ofInterview Handbook

. Univ of California Press,. Univof . Vol. 4. Ithaca, . Vol.4. 1997. . Univ of California Press,. Univof - Islamist Islamist

. Harvard 27, no. Man (2004): 1 turn nity and .

(1983): (1983): . 3 -

14.

CEU eTD Collection (2007). CenturyLecture." Skytte 2006Johan Prize The Robert D..Putnam, "E Diversity Unum: And Communi Pluribus Science Pratt, Nicola. "Identity, andculture the case democratization: ofEgypt." Press, 2002. Kymlicka, Will. 1999. Keats, Daphne. States." Hurd, Eli 28 Huntington, "The P. erosion Samuel national of American interests." by CohenBeacon and Nussbaum. Martha Joshua Boston: Press. (2002). Himmelfarb Hall, Stuart. "Cultural identity 222 and (1990): diaspora." elites." IslamismGöle, and Turkey:"Secularism Nilüfer. in elitescounter The and making of 1 (20 Gole, and"Islampublic: Nilufer.New new visibilities imaginaries." in University Chicago 1971. Press, of Geertz, Clifford. Democra Brooks. S. Fish, "Does Steven, M. and diversity Robin hurtdemocracy?." (2001): 1 37.Schwedler, "Islamic identity: Jillian. menace, myth, ormobilizer?." Fish, Steven. M. "Islam Anchor Erving,everyday"The presentation ofself Goffman. in life." Eickelman,F. Dale Piscatori. and James Connolly, E. William sciences Berg,BruceLawrence, HowardLune.and - 49. 02): 173

The Middle East Journal The Middle East

(1959). 27, no. 1 (2005): 69 (2005): 27, no.1 Foreign Policy Analysis . Vol. 5. Boston: Pearson, 2004. . Vol.5. - zabethIslam "Political Shakman. andforeign theUnited and policy inEurope cy 17.

15, no. 1 (2004): 154 15, no.1(2004):

, Gertrude. ‘‘The Illusions of Cosmopolitanism.’’ InIllusions ofCosmopolitanism.’’ Country? , Gertrude.ForLove edited ‘‘The

- 190.

Interviewing: AInterviewing: practical andprofessionals guide forstudents

Contemp Islam observed: Religious developmentIslam observed: MoroccoIndonesia Religious in and

Why Ia

and authoritarianism."and orary political philosophy:orary political anintroduction - 86. m notasecularist

3, no.4(2007): 345 (1997): 46 - 166.

Muslim politics Muslim

Qualitative researchmethods forthesocial - 58. 60

World Politics

. U ofMinnesota Press,. U 1999. Scandinavian Political Studies Political Scandinavian

- 367. . Princeton University Press, 2004. -

37.

Garden City, NY: NY: Garden City,

55, no.01(2002): 4 tyInTwenty The

. Oxford University. Oxford Foreign Affairs Foreign

SAIS Review Public Culture Public

New Political Political New Journal of Journal

. UNSW Press,. UNSW

30, no.2 - - first . Vol.37. 21, no.2

- (1997):

14, no.

CEU eTD Collection "PostcolonialYoung, JC. remains." Robert University 1990. Press, IrisYoung, Marion. narrative research Squire, Corinne. "Experience Institute Anthropological Soares, Osella. Benjamin,anthropology." andFilippo "Islam, politics, Said,"Orientalism. Edward. 1978."

1 (2008): 41 1 (2008): Justice and the politics ofdiffer andthepolitics Justice

15, no.s1(2009): S1 - centred and culturally centred and - 63.

New York: VintageNew York:

New Literary History New Literary 61 - S23.

-

ence oriented approaches tonarrative."oriented

1994 (1979). . Princeton, N.J.: Princeton N.J.: . Princeton,

43, no.1(2012): 19

J ournal of theRoyal of ournal - 42.

Doing

CEU eTD Collection Table Appendix I Respondent Number 3T 2T 1T 5T 4T 2I 1I 4I 3I 2

-

On what iswhat On it Muslim to a be old weNamaz. After learn topractice 12 requirements. l We believesMuslim principle inGod,Mohammed, the equality and the5 Muslim. practicingrituals androutines. some sortofare These type theideal ofa a andopinions, finally religious beliefs experience,and a set having of makeIt usconsider as someone I a Muslim. principlesguess three has Being isasystem;thereget Muslim are various that features connected to lie” That people arethese whoobeyMuslims. Muslim İbrahim prophet are there God already messages his tomake tous sent a Since peace. thetime of meansMuslim the one whosupport forgeneral more criteria for being Muslim. A It’s togive a definitionof tootraditional being Muslim. certain extent. Imams,aregeneral everyone theytosome but tooisaMuslim definition, Muslim youyourselfRecognizing doto as and others knowing themas QuotingIslam hasonly AliShariati, one pr There are thatareMuslims. by someaccepted all principles Muhammad God,tohave ledpeopleinGod. faith to religion Quran, Muhammad. lastbookis The is came. lastprophets Other prophets’religion corruptedway. inaPeopl tolive inthe world.God sentprophets. prophets us how people The show world. their society andtheir welfare provide Religion a is set moralities ofideas, Islam) an is individual toGod.A Muslim submitted whois (The literal meaning of II Quranrulesrules. obey obey and Sunnah. the Islamicthe Jurist). byImams, the Islamicestablishment of state theProphet, started andthen with the continued I What IslamVelayat meanis thespread by thesociety. in of The leadership/guardianship) Ion theother hand. onQuran So emphasize and Quran’s hand, instructions and onone tothe a is personA Muslim whose attitudes, and opinions, practicescorrespond to youIfabout don’t money careand power I and inthe world, ato have have mission Brotherhood inthe world. prophet. accept do.Tobelieve allthethe ordersshould aMuslim and inQuran iswhat practice should Muslim theorders byAllah,told sent ourprophet. To –

neo Data Extracts -

Muslim

is whobelieves intheprophet iswhobelieves andShiite intwelve

and is not seekingis not what S is

now finally we have the Velayat Faqihnow finally have Velayat we the earn that stealing is bad when we are born. After 9 years stealingwewhen that earn are born. 9 isbad After

rules Don’t kill, steal, and like“don’t orders don’t

62

Data Extract , and laws tomanage life people’s and peace first in this worldfirst this in hiite and what is Sunni; he’s looking andSunni; hiite is what -

year oldweIt fast. learn an tois it means you means it good Muslim. are a , the one whoobey , theone theGod’s order.

inciple, which ismonotheism inciple,

do it fordo it my creator. Valie’s (Religious rules Valie’s leader’s)

Velayat

e their way. lost thelast So,

, and then in the other , and thenintheother

(Religious

(Guardianship of

equal

, having

CEU eTD Collection

7T 6T 6I 5I 7I

Islam believesA Muslim inGodand theProphet and youafter are this, notMuslim. In Islam,yo fromMuslim. toexit order yearsobligationyouyou topractice after9 old,butevenare if don’t do, still haveBaha’i a offriends. lot Ithat inBaha’is example.They it I for see their behave religion. against don’t thethingHowever, not It’s thisis aroundII’ve me. ironic that seen Muslims believe inthedorituals, framework, Is andbehave inthe should completelyhasn’t a to So dealtMuslim conscious removeit. withhis things, Hea call can’t Muslim. calls abecause himself himself Muslim he I’msomeone a says Muslim don’t change to inorder it youyou’reYou can that when a claim Muslim accept theand framework Ireligious 18. was when Iread I not aboutbeliefs.who dothat Thosereasons have political for it. doing It’san unnecessary thi IwhatworldIn knowpeople shouldn’t believe. notlike that. Turkeyit’s actuallydon’t know whatMuslim I being a care!In is! don’t perfect my care and ineachspecific are there sect practices. The are practices fasting, thatare involved sayingand prayers, pilgrimageetc. geographical regions. strict about allbeliefs; like a it’s culture o It’sgivesgroupmeaning phenomenona thatnotparticularly of people. to It’s believeTo be isto aa inasystem Muslim ofbeliefs. historical Religion problematic. is Ithe God thatis believeinGod,but not decided. economic level, level, onsocial the relation witheverything ofstate is r It’san ideology.isatranscendental Religion thing. with the Believing and practicingrules, inthe instructions accordance which the isin believeTo be isto Prophet Muhammad. a inGod,Quran,and Muslim his II’m but call neither.atheist, myself don’t an notabeliever

eligious thing. don’t

about these issues, so it’s nota it’s partabout of these life my issues, so anyways.I why That’s , andIslam. thenecessities of , Quran

believe human intellect A Muslim should act according to institutionalized Islam act should A Muslim according toinstitutionalized

fourI inPersianImygot times and then faith. non lost And

but Everything by religion. inthe society On isdecided the

I

don’t

ng to bringnon ng upthebelieving .

judge. get benefit personal

but Ibut orsomany have sex, premarital other 63

u have tosayu have God.Only thereisno

imagined as in Islamicimaginedas in quality. f groups ofpeoplef incertain

of it. Forit. exampleof when the equalitythe of principle ForIslam a not me is - believingIt’s thing. lamic way. I don’ . t really t really

- CEU eTD Collection Table Respondent Number 2T 1T 4T 3T 1I 4I 3I 2I 3

-

On whetherOn differen There are some theologians who say youThere during whosayaresex can Ramadan. some theologians have This Thereare and believers non twonations, three Therefore, elements. thereare ofbeing types different Muslim. interpretations, experiences specific hisown and hasa etc.; p However, every he’s based individual onthecontext raised own in, his According understanding, and tomy non Muslim the di canWe say thereare misinterpretations tobeThis is towhata is it Muslim. going tobethe same. things But that our doesn’t withhim. mean practices incommon this are IndonesianAn differentIfrommight be might me,general buthave some thinkers don’tMuslim believe inveiling example. for Thereare andnon boundaries notclear between being Muslim prophet necessities. andtodoits meansmessagean Quran Godsent which believeThe isto way inGod,toaccept Muslim ofbeing andobey the Islamcorruption from Caliphate. inthe third starts perceptionreligion. of Islamany anda truthof was weak person. The are second the(That Sunnis Caliphate very of him)didn’t know proud but Godhas about only rule that case. one MaybegraspFaqih law capable thenot toabout God’s is aspecific case, the Islam tothe o superior that is are ornot. true ThereareIslam, of interpretations different thequestionwhether but is they not agood Muslim. You might dowrong it things different their because cultures. of views Islam.aspects But understandcan’t People somepeoplehave ofit. different PeopleI don’tthereIslamthink understand isone way.true thesame in deadline,Iclaim and the saying arethedeadlinesauthority we what say should whois tosetthe Iverdict noone else byand it. is jurist canunderstand the instead think of Republ the Valieyears Muslims.Islamic exempts (Refers totheearly of the have certain in proposed asact, an pilgrimage obligatory circumstances but isQuranit and ThereIslamicare sayredlineswhat not someis to interpretations thatare themnegate more advanced the principles. butnoneof there aimsforSo perfection. and are sense,certain inthis our Muslimhood considered indifferent inte Islam ofsome principles whichall inthebe should definition and Muslims, numbersAndtheyinfinite ofareall them. inthe same framework. are There canWe Islam; have of interpretations different nevertheless, thereare not ImamsOK. say it’s youIf haveWe one prophet, only God. the book,dowhat andone one oneof anis not interpretation example. for fference between political Islamfference Muslim. political a and between tobe ic) Iyouic) criteria can decided how is tell some this butthemain of Islam onething just is even above Quranabove even thereisVelayat t interpretati

They misguided the people/Muslims. TheThey economic the misguided people/Muslims. authority theJurist isby rpretations. contradict They don’t theprinciples ther forms. 64 doesn’t mean you’re not Muslim; youyou’re doesn’t notMuslim; mean are just

Data Extract ons ofIslam aret Sectarian are OK. differences . Thereoneand isonly true correct -

believers. I carebelievers. about don’t nations. d to accept Muhammad asd toaccept thelast

He was u He was

- . . For example Quranmight . The first torealize. source Muslim areMuslim equal.

ninformed and had no rue rue

ackage of these ofthese ackage - Muslim. Muslim.

Some

CEU eTD Collection

7T 6T 5T 7I 6I 5I

aspects it. to IapproachI’d if Muslims, aconsidered toward Muslim myselfadd some and non Muslim to seta limit Islam.Everyone ownnarrative onhis based isMuslim of to the history, whatcan’trealize we the realIslam is. Islam, they that ar means ThereareIslam ofcongruous interpretations different thereal thatwith are youyou growgot infamily, upwith, or how socialized at school,bymedia. a youyourI think in personal have don’t can Islamfavor; ownis interpretation like In I whatever. I tellingIt’s insist themthattheycomicare fordon’t mebut not to judge them Mazhab’ [Similar inTurkey’s to‘Bad Muslim’ context]. bound tothe There themselvesare are but thatas Muslims, know people notnecessarily oneprioritize tothe other. Islam I beown understandings allowed their believethatmenshould tohave of understandingsIslam. of like a novel. regions Definitelyare types thereas ofbeing different we indifferent Muslim, it have There and non Muslim isaline between youyou thatYes don’t ispossible belong it but toanyare a sect Muslim. Alevis thatdiffer andShias have I’mOf thereare course waysa therearebut Sunni, ofbeing Muslim. different Not interested inthe question!

don’t certain thing.

my

that.

and beAnd therefore, freetheir ideas. topractice shouldn’t we perfect

know . The there same that understandings are different ofall other things

. numberEqual ofthe the there to people, of number are different

rituals andpractices the relig of

what I don’tthere think between boundary isanobjective being world but there are contrasts and conflicts in their andtalks arebut there contrasts andpractices. conflicts

But have people understandings different people based onthe - M

being uslim

I

shouldn’t

. Since I’mI. Since notaMuslim havea normative don’t e close toit; a

Muslim 65

know

ent beliefs.

actually

but because tohaveof our limits access what - Muslim:

people is

ion, who areion, who called !

I

don’t

believe

care!

I’m a notin position I’m not .

In

Turkey ‘Horhory Muslim or or Muslim

in aposition

it’s

not

CEU eTD Collection Table Respondent Number 2T 1T 3T 1I 2I 4

-

On the relationOn politics ofand Islam religion. I whenAs a Muslim, about think politics I’m feel like cheating onmy safely, Atheists. even people.killing Islam people, all tocut people toexploit supports head, tolive Islam radicalism,terrorism; against is aristocracy, Mecca’s mafia. wasparents. an poor, orphan, no youIslamIf are asking whether a political perspective has ornot, Muhammad evenminorities, inthe Western thoughts. Islamicagovernment. special in role acceptability,andgovernance. doesn’t claim hethe to issilent legitimateafter Caliphatetheprophet, when doesn’t but have he public Again byreferring to andpolitics religion areentangled. whichThegive in the tradition andlife ProphettoMuslims, a ofthe model legitimize. that Sunnis Islam.Secularism can derivedfrom choose be Sunni People theCaliphates Thegovernment Propheta created andit’sveri Velayat Imam.present Faqih becomesgovernor The thesociety. theof of (The theory Faqihs aswell. same political recognizes authority Shite Imams applied for is tothe that Imam;Since people be when shouldnot left thereisno ontheir own, me, it’snotmy problem The non I together.want religion andfreedom each other. freedomcause thing. important Andthey the it’s can most be toward tolerant IIwant when there’s democracy.there happiness. want Cause isdemocracy Imathe time of as doesn’t long it get don’tit, as want people established BecauseIslamic state isinterconnected with thechoice ofpeople, means that a socialstill matter. have something more Thereforeall theseconnotations.don’t We reasoningnecessitate political establish all these rules social inasense.Islamic westate an Therefore tohave thatcan need aspects, tomakeare theindividual situateinthe since soci planned individualistic aspectsits completely intertwined. I religion think andpolitical are prescriptions not bound tohim, bound tohim… In I’mthings; waiting for that. Insha’ I believe theWestern don’t indemocracy, ones Quran it says if youQuran a religious says has if it leader, elected, if have been he we - - e Faqih)

religious do can

-

my older brothers create ofreligious consists older amy systemthat

this is is this important for mealso.

m Ali or Imam Khomeini. or m Ali Therefore,gets Faqih at that the time there legitimized isno if youif a have notelected, religiousanyways who’s leader we So thelegitimationSo God comes notfrom from people.

history, there is no doubt that Imamhistory, doubtthat thereisno Aliwas the private and than private individualistic

. It’s impossible todothat IslamicIt’s impossible anwithout . state.

Because aspects social than religion’s muchmore are

. At least Islam. Atleast likethat. is whateverIf want. their they freedom doesn’t affect

66

Data Extract He resistedHe oligarch, Mecca’s

But there is alwa But is there

Islam peace support

fiable historically.fiable . Ihope some. day separated atseparated all, Even the individualistic Namaz ys of athe suppression ; as what happened at; aswhat happened , Islam , against is

(prayers) but it’s (prayers)it’s but So peopleSo have

-

they are ety,are the

CEU eTD Collection

4T 5T 3I 4I

prophecyrevelation. and behavior. No religion non is suggestattitude. apolitical IslamNo, specificAnditdo doesn’t one have political prescription. sayIslam notinterveneinpolitics is, should they cases have topunish. the handsExample: ofthe thief butunder are Sharia democracy, cut under TheIslam be rules changed cannot ofas iscompose it you When youall therulesIslam, practice need of anyregime. donot other the country be sharia will under law. fields ofconcern. Islam notbepoliticized. should The who politicians call notbein politics should themselves Muslim themechanisms.within rights. lawsmechanism tosome againsteasily can turn theso accept the democratic as mechanism thebasis oflegal this rights,but debates.a There hegemonic wouldbeforces. social struggle between I comes it topol when think the private sphere. secular canandIslamic andgovernment neutral Muslims adjusttheir life in political system theQuran. in Islampolitical believe necessarily is between thattheonly relation Islamand politics the thatmeans politicized to establish a government. IIslam,can that see compared more toChristianity, potentialtobecome has essentially some political consequences. has Islam political its about, connotation talking differs. we’re I depending So politics. understanding a have of type pluralist of onwhat Ifelections. reli a beshould fair. there’s noneedgovernment touse careful “secularism”. be that should We secularism. IIslamamclassicI But against theunderstandingofalso state. ag am IIslamam against all things political supports. rules can seen butalsoEuropean be inQuran Union. notonly The be universal should acceptedand by begovernments. rules used These Human rights are universal. understanding The ofreligion. others 10rulesnotnecessary. are important, IslamIslamand political differ each from other. different There istwo strategies based circumstances injustice. onthe tooppose the Imamseven Even withcontrollinginstitutions. Shiite political had years.Ithat’s whyfor was jailed I resistwill thelaws backward even supportof themajority, ifthey the have vote mechanism. government. make should We ourideas tobe laws. and thelaws putthem in As a religious intellectual, I we think toget need thelaw to

So we accept the mechanism but still trymechanism we butstill So the pass accept the secular laws to And making a governmentAnd making a theprophetwas by of a not his part

IIn secularstate. nor suggest world, neither religioustheMuslim . It tobebased enough is onequality. I th don’t

gious be manwants rule, elected. to he should

If youIfIslam of implement allofthe then rules politics, in - political. political.

. ink there ofany isany directprescription sortof

But IBut shouldemploy don’t thelaw believe all Sharia IcannotIslam democratic. not I is say that What I try tom

itical disputes; it shoulditical it disputes; get the public into Islam doesnotnecessitate one particular political 67 Therefore it could be arguedTherefore could we it a have can that Islamand have politics completely d

If youyouIf thepower have avoid should it, ake religionake lines withhumanrights in

- based government ratherbased legal than . Islam doesnothave. political

used inthe laws by used

However, IHowever, to don’t want

Governance with comes d oftheGod. rules of - calledfund I don’t think IslamI think don’t

the majority amental different different es not ifferent ifferent . I. think ainst So I So CEU eTD Collection

6T 7T 6I 5I 7I

to yourto andpolitical social life. education), As faras tellme(I my anyreligious didn’thave Quranicstudies other scientific discourses. hassomebuttheydiscourse. infact,areall . Well, they it So are more think one’sthink political attitudeatmosphere isalsoshaped by the lived she has IslamI think a don’t particula necessitates what can In as believers. It’sI by peoplebelieve that used are non areIslamic hand inrightnow. politicians’ has others that,but reformIslam had a but did Islam,except anythingOf has inheritance. course every todowith religion yourIslammore people in religion. life. controlsreligion, Noother private aThis is trueIslam fact; ta nothing rulingofthe todowith state. In be should a kept true aside, democracy,secularism thatdecides Court beshould a Supreme Constitutional onsuch cases. they thepopul themajority have of veto to the radicalThereIslamist be should ideas, some institutions even if believegovernment. inareligious and politics. get separated. LaicMygovernment idealIn a religion is one. government secularism, and Islam. phenomenon. isanew This traditional and conservativejoineda political Muslims understanding of IranIslamicThe in Revolution changed thepolitical countries. InIran,Islam thepolitical Shiite consequences are of from different other youaround Muslims. Religion man is Religion a not is ac thingwe is say can that everything Kurdish people are culturally can (socially)freer. speaklanguage. They their In buttheyIran Turkeythere’ssecularism Kurdish accept people, butin don’t IslamIslamic require an doesn’t state. the Universal of Human Declaration Rights. suggestI accepts thatdemocracy theirpolitical rule. refer should we to think theory.some internationallyI violates approved it norms, When then, don’t be should We respectful t anythingand etc. governance,way about of the political institutions, were of time theprophet, the suitable only for Thereare therules inheritance, rules, about and some etc. punishment governmenta hisprophecy. part was of on topofhisprophecy’s Soweresponsibilities. say can’t making the government therefore theregion, make in government, a he to central wanted govern Islamists claimthattheProphet was that created theonlyprophet a anywheregavethe ordergovernment thatGoda tomake theprophet. to

this

use

can

republic ment.

the

I

do,

law; Islam religion a not is that wants

But only is it IranIa But dream tohappen. in definitely don’t My responseisthatbefore hisprophecy therewas no

InLaicite theemphasis onthe is I

they -

will made they

shouldn’t suffer

can

and is in itselfproblematic. isin and Youshouldmake people

o themajority’s therethis But to ideas. isalimit use

kes part [in politics] IIslamyoukes politics] part [in think togain tells by

lawyers.

68

myself. claim

When you read Quran, youyou When readQuran, don’t see

ation’s support. Tobe more precise, there

to

If But

things

- it believers, butintroduce themselves believers,

r type of political life type orideas. of r

uses if

it to give its toneandto give its color directly

n’t. based

but it doesn’t thatbut it says follow it

comes separation between religion the ManipulativeIslam parts of

real

on conception of Islam.conception The of

out and religion has cording toit.

tools. their

by

religion. democratic

integrated integrated

They that that

But But tools, I

CEU eTD Collection

Everyone ideas have might and some principle on themajority’s decision. thatforce determines isthe rules, will someone’s which over countries, based things are onthemajority’sThere decided isa demands. in. All we can torely dois on If there’sIslamicwants themajoritycountry ofa tobedone. annothing state, doesn’tthey butit applytime. stuff, todosome had toour on. thereeveryoneget like violencean are to, that some ideas should isbad yousayIwhy a against want dictate I lawexecution… to know, think don’t the others.

A Muslim canA Muslim religion keep his private I ofthe theat prophet, maybe thenecessities think time ofthat for time,

It well, might myself causeas besomethingagainst can someone

cultural and education informing people.

69

. As we know inthedemocratic. Aswe s, but noonecan on it dictate

legal law based legal law based

d so d so CEU eTD Collection Table Respondent Number 1T 2T 1I 5

Some concreteSome ofwhatwant examples Muslims Our holiday be should Friday like thepast Sharia CHP doesn’t girls;CHP wantI AKP, AKP isnot veiled that’s but for why vote public. fundamental themost think responsibilityIslamic state the isnurturing of the IIslamiceducation believethat be teaching should mandatoryinthe system. it. dispute from onesidet their ideas. I thesecularist think can promotea haveand don’t TV advertise channel to red line. has bec useshould cultural it.There’s tosolve means a ofpassing level thelaws that compromiseshould about it. compulsoryits setby aspectcoercion is For of example about the question Iwould ban theeroticshopsandposters. (non referendum decide. should thereof the conversation:] be should a ban onki Theyare notready, people notthe wouldleaders. it,but solve youYou can’t thepublicsbut in kissing restrict teach can The at the schools. don’tlike it! communists whom! Buteven ordad, republican nomom themost ones, the even don’tWe careabout unmarriedcouple …or tolive together whofucks your theyyouare Whenyou’re why notMuslims, did they strictthat? lose drunk publicBeing peace,does… Russians, alcohol unveileddisturb doesn’t but to myIand wife Then mychildren… them. wouldkill but they[ drink can’t here doesn’t force non does force not believe. anyone to Alco shoes) are equal?] totheshoes[He points and asks the if (the menand leftright women and live notlike like a Muslim, a Christian Erdogan’s modernly not grows momis educated, a butshe leader. areWomen of thereal leaders them tobeteacher, and doctor, non would corrupt… areIt’s asgood now,women consumed well... being for youIf forsoonera or athe putaduty,woman, which manon later society is I backwant tocome execution Muslims. peopleRepublicanmade for not is Jewish uswearthe dictatorship that cap go was toread it forbidden toMekka… Arabic we’ll want so this, fightMuslims was practiced;couldn’t for Azan this… we

hol: This is thesame Thisis inRussia; hol: conscious.

court is the right that I courtwant. isthe right that ome normal, ome normal,

Ia debate can bothsides don’t inwhich mind argue,it’sjust butif - hat the public audience theideasIhatcan’tanalyze the public presented, Muslims), we protect should rights. their

-

believers topractice…believers

but if theyare restrictions but if putlegal will we but if someonebut if a comes outcompletely unveiled, still it’s

in public places]in public

I don’tuse should meancoercion, they they but 70 . Cutting thehand o

Data Extract So that means the Islamic constitution thatmeansSo and the

society; care theychildren take ofthe Hijab -

governmentaljobs. no one saysIslam theycan’t that drink.

, IIslamic, government don’tthe think

(veiling) somany that And also sausages And also (haram food). Of course they Of are allowed course todrink,

because they wouldsay something

ssing…. [Then changing it:] a changing [Then ssing…. it:] f thieves as well.

people think people … [at the end… [at

I want to Iwant to

.

I CEU eTD Collection

4T 3T 2I 3I

yearI when thereof Erdogan. was respected they me because myWhen people sister inEurope, had Ican myI the enter feelfreer. scarf, school with me isreligion perfect. Kissing, state interfere can’t and saying somebody tothe butif isdisturbed same asinQuran, that. what nothing punished than is more am saying interferegovernment which isthatthe shou things can Butbygovernment force Youcan’t using power. him drinking quit to who has alcohol. You can medical a advise person problem not lead practice into they that doesn’t ideas. promote certain beshould allowed hisownideas. toadvertise blo on religion.Ianywith promoting see problemcertainunless it don’t ideas religion, have people theright but choose. should to notbecompulsionshould Religion morality asa pillar be of inthe society should structure. protect Or lead itself. can these If toanarchy. nofamily so,there wouldbe how theyareaffecting people’smorality. They propaganda.can have dotheir They don’t Morality isimportant. your“determine boundaries” saying, because just isnot it “there God”. isno isredpeople line. toa bad it manner The by redwe linethesociety, isdetermined c the coversnotofquestion. and clothes is andthis, sothe government react should But of the thetransgressions. type to beseen.Women’s bodybe some principles not There should should about the controlIslamists. ofthe But should it norms, why beunder secularists the a shouldn’t have channel? Islamists.consisted half and from half seculars fine...Imam’s Thedebate As longatmosphere isscientific,destructive as ratherthan the thedebates are Religiousa framework state meansstatereligion. thatworksof the within the she and quit she’s happy. job andshe hadabout some problems areWomen example thanmen.had morefor Myfriendan sensitive academic It’swomen take children inhuman naturethat care of I d Islam can’t it a happen is utopian dream, inthe society today. interfereonly the gay with my andnot isabout alcohol life’ marriage. country.Muslim I But what that ‘they as areas said free long they don’t LGBT.like I thegay think don’t religion.But freedomalso is important themajorityWhen a countrythe laws ofbe should based isMuslim, on atheists are few! sister shouldn’t beablelittle t Atheist cantheybe but reachableTVeasily. have channels not should Alcohol beforbidden inofficial should meetings on’t want jobcause mom’s my on’t makestotake it usless. her care of cks oravoids certain tothe public. ideologies tobe presented But it givesBut me importantreligion; freedomthemost thing it for my

s arefamous. Therechannel be can so a that is .

should be allowed beshould tohave channel. a TV I be educationshould think separated from don’t

But anatheist havea can’t o reach it easily. Ito reachaffectsIn easily. it her mind. Turkey 71

marriage should be legalized.marriage should As long as the promotion ofpromotion thoughtsAs longas the does

We talktothem,We we them. say, warn We her works, and sheher wasand works,upset very and , for certain things, for certain peoplefree can’t be eye mya badBut on veiled sister.this

Every , church…Every mosque, should There is no state in the world There state isno inthe world an’t. Ifyoung an’t. these the leads

If theyconform moral to to believe. But important to is it

The state can’tThe state be neutral . It. women. alsoprotects

That’s enough.That’s channel. promoted. But there

Turkey isa

Everyone ld bethe

What I What

My

CEU eTD Collection

5T 7T 6T 5I 4I 6I

atheist institutions, byatheist institutions, you using propaganda.can media atheism make Itabout people’s promoting. ideas ofthinking. freedom There is be can Except other interf hand, state shouldn’t youofficers “goand caneach kiss otherelse.”On the then somewhere say have headscarves is a symbol of which party you’rehave ofwhich party headscarves a is symbol from. and politicalthe political symbol situation as veiling, RealI thing between isdiscrimination and women. exc men believethat to have freedom ofunfreedom.” beshould equal somethingand is nonsense andfree that.“So this it’s against Ifreedom, reject personally duebased veiling tosome ondemocracy people other groups. violence to invitation butalsofor istheIslamists, all red for line, notonly IslamistsAs long don’t promote vio as unpleasant gives signals thatit toan observer. character hasfor alsowoman’s it a because socialand ofthe that roles believe theChador veilingpreventive be should ofthe prohibitedbecause There against veilany be discrimination shouldn’t classes. in myI ownexperience.don’tpersonallygo want child tothese to my Their removal impossible. seems Iat better it’s le think to thattheypoint Jihad advertise All groupsable butbefore tohavethe shouldbe channel… comes a it to TV thoughts andideas. Idiscrimination. Noonefor want be should his limited any don’t type of use education. making think limitations areIt’sright thoughts. thetocontrol better way t Yeah, have theextremebeable even thoughts should TV to channels. Iagree withselectivereligious at courses schools. youyou have are atheist, don’t totake. are inTurkey, Christian able their they totake religious be should courses. Theeducation religious courses be should obligatory in for Sunnis. rules. Islam Islam.of Butpeople who are there still arecovered butthey not ItIt cover head. that isone rightwomen andOK their ofthe is requirements principle for women. regarding we the modern take should account equality into theinheritance, years800 hasand ago then theworld changed a since lot inherit halfgetsa of man what account.into likethe But rules somelaws, ofinheritance (that women makes ThereIslam.are course politicalcourse, ruleswe of in Of totake need the beshould violenceadvocatingfor and war. beshouldn’t onwhat any they limit present. I therecan think bemust secular,with aglobal identity.citizen inlines finea it’s tohave secularist,but The theelective educational ones. system Ican religious havecourses to accept elective at schools. LGBTable tohav shouldbe people , even into thecovered putit more, strict not than ones.we So should

defamation

be an Islamist TVchannel,be an their promoting ideas. There , everybody say can histhoughts.

ast have the Islamic have selectiveatast the schools. courses 72

), have emerged from the Islamemerged the from ), have to that belongs ere.

The were religious boring classes most the e a TVe channel.

lence,canchannel. they a have TV

However, IHowever, thered think line

ed women. However,

There isnothing wrong even the way that you thewaythat even

. Therefore, I supportas it don’t Discriminating can still practicestill

But if youBut if

I don’t

ept I

o m The

If CEU eTD Collection

7I

piercing, skirtbecause symbol tattoos,very short are these I Do educated wanta child toget veiled my by woman? It’s him. haveshould to kill thefreedom ridiculous. very that world. not befree think theteacherthink promote other homophobia as shouldn’t things well. like Nevertheless, I think ItIalways thingweird usedgot atome,it. has been never of coercion.I’mgrown idea, Thoughupwith this I couldn’t perceive ever it. I themandatory oppose veiling religion. like advertising forcingfor weapons, violence,oruse or peo of I some ideas, channel be ifa should promotes there think some TV courses, Christianity, Bahaism theyteach should etc. Judaism, and requirementmust thatthere is prayers can going like onSundays, private have Friday institutions tochurch or ideological teaching. I anyIt be thereshouldn’t religious schools. think course appliestoany inthe Islamists Therecan’tIslamicany courseat beelective school,evenones. to these schools, pay for that. they their children tobeprepared want religious way ina Education be should privatized. I So aban want onveilinginthe public. theyIwant teach them to don’t believe; just children. my

a religious lady be andveiled a employedable to be as should a teacher. .

I is finetohavecourses.But it think elective the religious

can . How can I be sureI their thatit’s . Howchoice. can be To me it

have the educationbesecular. must

a ’s likegiving freedom kill. to

TV

It could be Marxism, Islam, beMarxism, Itcould orChristianity.

channel

73 be they if all sorts ofoptions; Islamic present . It’s one of my red lines. I’mIt’s mylines.. red oneagainst of any type

Theycould own have schools. However their

though.

It’s onlyI about not religion; I don’t like this person, so II person, like this so don’t

She doesn’t even know . Take your. Take children It’s for thesame

s.

Icare what don’t

ple to accept a toaccept ple

I they think

redlines

CEU eTD Collection Table Respondent Number 2T 1T 4T 3T 2I 1I 3I 6

On Muslim and European Muslim European Identit and The more is powerful West andweIfculture. are their doing weare Islam Capitalism protects destroyed.Islamic need world this. thegapTheyfinish the exploitation; between classes should be should Therea unionamong be should countries. Muslim world more is important for me. be will heaven.border, it I war, exploitation, believeinafterworld this but bewill inthe world.In Notafterworld. when theworld class, there no isno IItThere ofexploitation. Muslim. islots as thesamebelieve not is heaven EuropeanIslamic are really values But values. close they are to capitalist beshould based rights onthenational andinterests. countries) basedonthe make should We theregion foreignrelations withcountries (Muslim in globalization, what weglobalized. ismaking have something is alsodifferentWesterner. a There anything from isnot such as necessarily culturalreligious,it’s geographical and identityTheMuslim differences between identity and Western isnot powerful the one one;theywhoisright. support InIslam ofhave morality some terms criteria. be isto a personMuslim that God Islam people. kill to want against use that.Tobe to nuclear bombs a is Islam. againstModernism not is Islam Islam doesn’t such have a war. doesn’t To be means a be Muslim to Islam notagainst good Modernism. person. is are But Muslims. Sunnis Muslims. Allah and theProphet. However, countries, especially Because thereare some Syria. things like incommon with that countryIslamic not.There withIran all to unite or for isinterest question of whichalldepends countries; there onwhether isa Iran’sgovernment its for differenthim thatdoesn from one Idifferent, don’t know! bedifferent should A Muslim but whethera Westerner, they from are Therearecultural some differences. Theyare differen the first step. IIslamhavegoal tohave our it. and think worldwide, havingnationis is this now thereIslam contradictory of and are different definitions I ideal it’s have think to course theydifference. a have massive ideologicalyou matter. But Western if mean thinking, of which ismaterialist, be as aoneis well. geographical Muslim That and issue theother isan one I separate being being don’t European from governmenthis voice. raise should areMuslims treated badly. IIfforIsrael,I’d Palestine. had send power troopsto my England… where to IYeahI want nations, Muslim united want powerful, they obey.will follow, they will

t because they havet because religion. different national Cause has a some frameworks, Muslim which makes an Islamic an block/nation

stability If isexecuted,my my inEgypt brother 74

interest.

Data Extract we Wahhabis don’t consider among

’t have it.

ies needs to unite with some countries. uniteBut with to needs the desire.

Instead they of ashould ofbeing EU, part

Any type ofunionAny making type policy

Caliphate

Muslim because Muslim a European can

Muslims don’t support don’t the Muslims ; it’s our; it’s wish.Though

There be should no as well

… I … doanything can’t

. A Chinese person . AChinese person , it’s still great still , it’s to

mutual benefit

border. border. right .

CEU eTD Collection

6T 5T 7T 5I 4I 7I 6I

It’s inevitable to have a block of IslamicIt’s of a tohaveintheregion block countries inevitable foreign in which means can these each reconcile two identities with other. them by character.a bipolar But we having theEuropean have still Muslims, I European categoriesare and being think Muslim twodifferent Islamicdo something unit. for which I which knowithappens! and callssex might herself This benarrative aIranian ofan Muslim. Muslim, Therethat goes besomeone might drink a ofalcohol, lot toanightclub, have There incompatibility isno betweenand being being Muslim European. countries. identityThe make Muslim not Turkeygetcloser should toother Muslim A lotofgoodIslam. messagesare in It’sa modern tobe possible Muslim. Iconsidera myself European. the eggssayIslamicand we inonewant basket investon just to international relationsismeaningless, it and illusionary. MaybeIslam makes the senseand world cultural inthe religious in sense, but how modernized they got. each TheIslamists other. fact thatbecamerevolutionary isanindicat Islamconflict modernism, betweenpractically and they approached have practically iftheoretically happened. Even and epistemologically thereisa you modernno, mean by Western, beingWestern and have being each Muslim with some frictions other, Modernism,globalized though today. having Western more origin, is Maybe separation. fragmentput pressure.and thesociety Coloni want puttheir hegemony to ontheothers. decided is Politics by USorby the theEurope each bett other Islamicgetclosercountries toeach should other becauseunderstand they differences. Theyarethere different eatingBut in small food,are just inwearing. between sects. different huge resistance against it. Ia tomakeunionbased think onreligion a is wrong idea. aboutit’s collapse. to asis not easy have as the theorists assumed resisted and people tothat,and The experience ofthe European see acontrast these huge twoidentities. between objectionWestern. against being haveIn being anyI with sense, problem this Western. don’tany have goingwife, t girls totheater ofpicking up on instead If being have Westernto your means theEuropeanstyle life by respecting evenMuslims differsIzmir between and Diyarbakir. There is policies rather identities. thanthe Islamicthe blockget might character. an makeshould relations ontheir based interests, policy.Itas thesame t is a difference in terms of life style, belief, anda interms of practice. difference life style, belief, The of style

They should unite againstThey it. should

er. (Givinger.example ofKurdish people the that unite) should

he European Union.

As we seea can ofconflict lot thereare media in

75

Union showed thatmakingaUnion showed political block

ButI being if Western means be to immoral,

I reconcilable they think are

I interest think foreign shapes the

It’s ofEuropepolitics the to The countriesThe intheregion zers do the Shiite and dothezers Shiite Sunni

. They are. Theycolonizersand they but sinceIslamic, they are allbut

heI streets andetc. don’t

We shouldn’t putall shouldn’t We

There wouldbe . It. has . We know . We

countries. or of or of but if but if

CEU eTD Collection Table Respondent Number 1T 2T 1I 2I 2

On the On republicans ( Thevery majoritywas treated badly byduring theminority thetime of Men like powerand inaccordance tothat and theirget values beliefs expediency Islamicsystemenact the that doesn’t sometimes for law. the However, aboutmightOne is the judiciary toocritical.critiques sound ofour main IslamicIran’sI the government, wantI talkabout parts to because don’t of havetheir and funtogether business together w doas men’s world this andthe both they other world. they each When see other get talksaboutworld. sohe the people’s theAndthey power destroy other One want to merely a struggle. power believe inthe current factionalism. II’mI but I principlists, Islamist.extremely an hate reformists. don’t hate IranThere in tobeMuslim. benefit isno getemployed AKP rule. better under It’s thatto show they for people beneficial are Mus IslamicI Erdogan rhetoric uses. like the money thereispeace. economy important thing Because isthemost people. forwhen the thereis AKP raise I’mcorrupt. AKP 100%. notsupporting So so differentMuslim being from Corruption by AKP damaged me. theycangovernment, change their feel peoplewant sinceno c whenever don’t it, there is Iran’sI democratic government isthemost government believethe Islamic levels losesits character. it leadershipIslamic, also is completely we butthe tothe more lower come I ofgovernanceIslamicIran believethemain theory inis now religion ora issue social a one. is private of religion politics. in understanding Iin the groups’ have disputes the roots political believemany of extra money, the beingIslamic the for under state, examplethesafety, they pay should some Islam force anyonetobecomeifsomeone doesn’t but Muslim, benefits from and someMuslim, ourduties thathe has.therights So come withduties. ofSome thebenefits be about might thatonegets the legal rights being by IIslam of thebenefits that onegets think endorsessome being by a Muslim. women near leadergo every girls wefeel our can scarfed AKP makes aofempowerment. sense “self EuropeanHe’sI in say awhen talks Union,wow,a leader, he he’s leader. Ifdictator. Therearealwaysnewspapers that aof Erdogan, curse lot he’s butthey say republicans doanything didn’t ethnicities for other Erdogan ismor relation between p relation between Islam and actual d theeconomic level,people that’s whyvoteAKP cause some for

he was a dictator no one could call him a noone dictatorwas could callhe a him dictator

of the Islamic the so of gain power headscarf ban

of Islam; levelof in ofbelief their e democratic. He gavee He democratic. (Waq Jazzie.

Especially IEspecially result believeit from whetherthey think

so he talksabout freedom, people’s to want the other

). Of course people would get). Of coursewould people angry. ciety, some non 76 . They being introduced and being Muslim

Data Extract

They say we are newsThey religious we this is but say

The conflict between thefacti

- f) to Armeniansf) and to others reliance” - Islamic things are done.

olitics in Turkey Iranand Velayat, Velayat, . lim. Religiouslim. people can

ell.

When we see a see scarfed we When oercionagainst people, their ideas onthe role

where.

, the general, the

ons is ons is

cause Icause

but the but

CEU eTD Collection

4T 3T 3I 4I

people. They well. knowpeople People vote for they AKP against because are notfighting thesociety, against Turkish the AndAKP peoplepeople. arecan religious. understand reformists are more about And careless religious they issues. bullshit changed political andeconomic interests. understandings, they but are political groups twodifferent with irreconcilable differentto dowith Islam. understandings of I theclash think between theReform don’t Iran’sexpressive function for inpolitics the‘others’. excluding I process,modernization So Islam and renovation progress, etc. an think has intechnicalseculargovernment, matters, in example andcivil for part getsan only expressive gesture.It function a andan just it’s like acts therefore, Iran’sgovernment any like government other tickledwith everyday is and life happened of ofexclusion by means ofthepolitics.limits adon’t think get secularcangeneralIranacceptance idea inbecause ofthe (I Islamicperson has authority,ofthe cameFiqh an therules classic out Islamic don’t haveIslam,I aIran’s perspective normative government is toward think It Revolution. pol hasinfluenced social, thelegal, and IIran’sgeneralIslamic politicalatmosphere think become has afterthe people can’ttheir practice religion how requires them. S not Sunni. Sunnis andMuslims, Shiites. Forgovernor example are the ofthe parts Sunni senserights. oflegal I between thereisdifference and think non Muslims after sayI People are that stealing butthey they didn’t. are wor TheygivenareI roads, money,etc. for service, andAKP voted 2002,but AKP usesIslamgetting symbols only of for votes. Islam.aIn capitalist system. thereis turkey, philosophers. someone interests, his and thinks, thecircumstances. Peopleare not interpretations and interests. andThe prin between dispute reformists veilingchangeare notstable ormusic, whichas and passes. thetime However, anygovernment intolike religious that makes stick some taboos would change basedontheexpediency. thelaw wheneverthe constitution/parliam theand Sharia The Council Expediency Discernment Iran’sgovernment acts based ratherthan sometimes onexpediency Sharia. Islam.I believe don’t init. I Velayat thetheory think Faqih of don’t close is you’resupport thegovernmentor not, ratherornot. Muslim thanif government a favors particular ideology. Ina country t middle. No, AKP is not Islamist No, AKP not is slamic jurisprudence), and the clerics have the upper hand in politics. Iandslamic jurisprudence), hand theclerics haveupper inpolitics. the ; but some Muslims might not find it the true Islam. might thetrue findit some Muslims not ; but first political The

, and goesand the However, ideas the, for most. him thatbenefits the sometimes there is nothing very Islamic thereabout isnothingsometimes it. very o thedifferences thesense are political. Evenoflifestyle, in some hat 90% are Muslims, it it a Muslims, isnot plus are to beaunlessthe hat Muslim, 90%

Even there disparity isalegal of Even between types different Islamic Republic’s identitymaking process has ; theyButareconservatives. this

Therea between isalwaysrelation what 77

People don’t like radicalism.People don’t inthe like AKPis

the secularist groups.

is agood that of thesis this indicator ciplists is is ciplists founded onbothreligious So what matters is that if youmatters thatif whatis So ists and Principlists have and Principlists ists anything

They mightThey have different

ent conflict, the Council to the Shiite conception theShiite of to

- Muslims in Iran in Muslims inthe itical systems.

of course includes

So the Islamic the So king.

Since I Since

more! y

CEU eTD Collection

6T 5T 7T 5I 6I

laws inTurkey tothe modern then they according EU laws but 4+4+4 started only political use power religion winthe to completelyAKP isnot Islamist. democracy. I dem as identifya myself social MandatoryIslam. Youcan possible. ge More educationof child labour is They education, oflaw.are taking control of taking control themselves as they believer; as it a tool. use IReligion usedby that is believeare people non extreme. AKPIslamic isfurtherIslam.It’s party. beyond They everything bring in together. interests and So benefits. between and reformists principlists. IslamDifference of sources one is ofthe conflict ininterpretations ofthe Iran’sItIslamicIslamicIgovernment asan a of lot one. features. know has Islamicrepublic),and etc. compulsorypolitics, veiling one isnow apparent (which ofthe aspe IslamIran’s thebasis extent ofthe tosome is foreign policy, domestic people’s religious beliefs. Iran’sgovernment a legitimacy is theocraticthathas its founded one onthe that thegovernment s youIslam tobelieve inorat inevitablytobelieve have inthe least pretend betweenIslam andpower Iran in The andpolitics Islam relationmore like theconnection between is At thetimecare ofAKP Muslims about moremoney.“AKP isCalvinist.” embracesAKP usesall athesociety. discourse that main issue. make apeople. bourgeoisie differenceSomoney between and poor isthe AKP tries tomake a bourgeo regime. candid used a beliefs,thatis just by abouttheirreligious tool butit’s theAKP IslamicAKP isonly at level. discourse family ties between them. Iran’sRightyears factions last ofthe30 history. They strong very have aregroup. names same different for the andI Thoseconflict principlists. seeessential between reformists any don’t Iran thatpeopleobvious in don’t Islamic.from otherand sortsnot theworldis ofpolitical systemsin secularization of thepolitical system. Islamic principlism? How does theExpediency thecreation the of fitinto Council Discernment you theservices receivewe won’t any provide. of AKP created dependencyamongsay elected,AKP isnot hisvoters. They if as theywork services) (provide vote we’ll for the years(engaged theTurkishcorruption).So people thinkfor 60that in aslong The right notworkshould inpublic and stay at home. to getdo is labour market womenoutof years.system begirls outofschoolto where4 after the What they can intend

- They are a party. fundamentalist

wing parties alwaysgoods althoughwing parties investedinpublic they stole

There andit’sa forin it tool isnothing the religious in upports. upports. . Forenteringand sphere thepolitical the conflict ofall a these is result mixture of

The difference iseconomical.

isie society in the Kurdish society. inthe Kurdish isie society 78

ocrat. I don’t think Islamocrat.I think don’t asocial is threatto TheyIslamist as but definethemselves

want religious government. Itapparent hasmore ro So the Islamic Republic thedoes differ So not

Of that course thereare are people They are both governmental Left governmental and are both They -

because in their perspective, in because

. For they example, . changed the

- believers, butintroduce m, nomatter if they steal.

ots in their ots in

power circle power They want to wantThey to cts of the cts ofthe It’s very

women women they t

CEU eTD Collection

7I

Tranquility is an opportunity in life that youTranquilityyou’re isanopportunityinlife that lose if nota good economicsituation. Ifor people think vote AKP economically don’t Turkey because a in isnot you’remarried 13. when haveIslamic the ones. obligatetheyetc.;some sort veiling and ofideas. tojustify need on They it fo Islam.the truegovernment onsome pillars Every needs ideas, its base to the Islamic.IIran’s government is believe Islamictruegovernance. have tobe ofReformists think religion more as thing a necessarily private thatdoesn’t Iranpolitical in disputes are the If IIran in theremightbenefits a think Muslim be to

und it on Islamic onthey When und it rules. segregate to want woman and men, we’re say cynical to nottoo games, all thatit’s political

political; some of them believe that the current somepolitical; ofthem the believe not is system that

79 resultsIslam understandings ofdifferent of

I likenot Reformists thatit’s don’t say .

we say can the Muslim. Muslim.

. CEU eTD Collection Part 3 Part 2 Part 1 AppendixII - - - -

-

Do youDo Islamic party? AKP isan think IyouCan ask whatorideology party do politicallysupport? How identity does theMuslim the politicalMuslim? views and relatetobehaviors? tobepolitically it is What areWhat thepoliticalMuslim? connotations ofbeinga tobea it is What Turkey o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Why AKP wins the elections? IsWhy IslamicAKP winsthe elections? AKPbenefiting its from rhetoric? religious/secular youDo over thedispute think Does identity theMuslim matter inforeign relations? Islamiccountries ( youDo try Turkey/Iranshould better think the relationswith toestablish youHow isdifferent do Muslim being being from think European/Western? elective? Islamic/antiCan there be you people do What Should about think education? be educated tobe Muslim? have and thesamelegal roles social rightsasmen? you aboutwomenrolesWhat and social Do legal rights? they think should you?toleration for Islamistsand tohave radicalis of What beable channel? the limit a TV you do What ofthepublicmedia? aboutShould think the limits the athei you typeWhat or religiousdo ofsecularismgovernment want? thereShould be anybased law onreligion? thereShould be any employment of How thestate should be?t How it should Etc.?Social classification? youto Being matters society? think inthelatter? born inMuslim If we between being as distinguish andbecoming Muslim born what Muslim; non Where for being isthelimit distinguishesWhat a a from Muslim? a Muslim others? Isthere different ofbeing ways Muslim? one interpretation superior tothe you AreDo Islam of havecan what everyone think interpretation hisown is? areWhat of being themain a characteristics Muslim?

. . - TopicGuide Muslim?

the main factorfor popularity? AKP’s (Religion econ vs. yourBased experienceyou formaround, on do people what is think positions? the veiledShould girls able toget be employed inthe governmental you do What about think veiling? Do youDo Islam? thetrue it call

Muslim? How do you HowMuslim? do definebeing a Muslim?

nature?

as

in a Islamic theWesternUnion),in a ratherthan countries?

- Islamic Man schools? courses inthepublic

supporting orrejectin supporting 80

Sharia

reatIslamic seculars and people Should Should beit allowed/compulsory?

law?

ga AKP has

omy)

Education? datoryor

sts sts

CEU eTD Collection Part 3 ------

-

Do youDo themeaningIran? think religiouschanging of being is in you do What about think the rest DotheyIslamic ofthecountry? an want state? youDo Iran’sIslamic?government How? think is Iran’syouDo Islam think politics? affects youAreIslamist/secular IyouCan yourselfgroupask what with? political identify IranIs in tobea any there Muslim? benefit makesWhat someone religious in you Do being ofischanging theidea well? think during Muslim thetime as modern? youyou? doesmodernizationmeanDo What Turkeymore to isbecoming think Iran o o o o

How Iran’sgovernmentHow affects religious identities? Islam?different of understanding youDo between have thedispute and think reformers rootsin princplists Islamic? makesWhat it Be How AKP isaffecting thereligious identities?

?

Iran? specific and name the aspectsspecific the and name 81

.