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Interior of the Selimiye Mosque, Edirne
Interior of the Selimiye Mosque, Edirne

Nominally, 99. The Selimiye Mosque ( Turkish: Selimiye Camii) is a Mosque in the city of Edirne, Turkey. Edirne (anc Hadrianopolis; Greek Adrianople; Slavic/Bulgarian Одрин, see also its other names) is a city in Thrace, the westernmost 8% of the Turkish population is Muslim, of whom a majority belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. [1] A sizeable minority of the Turkish Muslims is affiliated with the Alevi sect. Alevis (Aleviler Elewî are a religious sub-ethnic and cultural community in Turkey, numbering in the millions [2] The remainder of the population belongs to other beliefs, particularly Christian denominations (Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Syriac Orthodox, Chaldean Catholic, Church of the East), Judaism, and Yezidism, or are irreligious. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world The Armenian Apostolic Church (Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցի Hayasdaneaytz Arakelagan The Syriac Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Middle East with members spread throughout the world The Chaldean Catholic Church or the Chaldean Church of Babylon (الكنيسة الكلدانية) is an Eastern particular church of the The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (ܥܕܬܐ ܩܕܝܫܬܐ ܘܫܠܝܚܝܬܐ ܩܬܘܠܝܩܝ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ ܕܐܬܘܪ̈ܝܐ ‘Ittā Qaddishtā wa-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut The Yazidi (also Yezidi, Kurdish: ئزیدی or Êzidî, Arabic: يزيدي or ايزدي Assyrian/Syriac: ܓ̰ܠܟܝܐ is a [3]

According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005,[4]


Contents

Religion and secularism

Main articles: Islam in Turkey and Secularism in Turkey
Exterior view of the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.
Exterior view of the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. The region comprising modern Turkey has a long and rich Islamic tradition stretching back to the dawn of the Seljuk period and Ottoman Empire. Secularism in Turkey was introduced with the Turkish Constitution of 1924 and later the Atatürk's Reforms set the administrative and political requirements to create Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Αγία Σοφία " Holy Wisdom " Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia) is a former patriarchal Basilica, later Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey

There is a strong tradition of secularism in Turkey. Secularism in Turkey was introduced with the Turkish Constitution of 1924 and later the Atatürk's Reforms set the administrative and political requirements to create Even though the state has no official religion nor promotes any, it actively monitors the area between the religions. [5] The constitution recognises freedom of religion for individuals whereas the religious communities are placed under the protection of the state, but the constitution explicitly states that they cannot become involved in the political process (by forming a religious party for instance) or establish faith-based schools. Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice worship and observance No party can claim that it represents a form of religious belief; nevertheless, religious sensibilities are generally represented through conservative parties. [6] Turkey prohibits by law the wearing of religious headcover and theo-political symbolic garments for both genders in government buildings, schools, and universities;[7] a law upheld by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights as "legitimate" on November 10, 2005 in Leyla Şahin v. The European Court of Human Rights ( ECtHR) (Cour européenne des droits de l’homme in Strasbourg was established under the European Convention on Human Rights Turkey. [8]

Religious organization

Main article: Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı
Sultan Ahmet mosque, Istanbul Turkey.
Sultan Ahmet mosque, Istanbul Turkey. Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches

The mainstream Hanafite school of Sunni Islam is largely organised by the state, through the Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (Religious Affairs Directorate), which controls all mosques and Muslim clerics. The Hanafi ( Arabic حنفي school is the oldest of the four schools of thought ( Madhhabs Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger The directorate is criticized by some Alevi Muslims for not supporting their beliefs and instead favoring the Sunni faith. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (Patrik) is the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey, and also serves as the spiritual leader of all Orthodox churches throughout the world. "Patriarch of Constantinople" redirects here For the institutional church itself see Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches Primus inter pares ( Latin) or First among equals is a phrase which indicates that a person is the most senior of a group of people The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world The Armenian Patriarch is the head of the Armenian Church in Turkey, while the Jewish community is led by the Hahambaşı, Turkey's Chief Rabbi, based in İstanbul. The Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul is today head of one of the smallest Patriarchates of the Oriental Orthodox Church but has exerted a very significant political Jews {ref|name|§}} have lived in the geographic area of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) for more than 2400 years Hakham Bashi ( Turkish: Hahambaşı حاخامباشی is the Turkish name for the Chief Rabbi of the nation Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular

Cathedral Church of St George, Istanbul, seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Cathedral Church of St George, Istanbul, seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. The Church of St George ( Greek: Καθεδρικός ναός του Αγίου Γεωργίου Kathedrikós Naós tou Agíou Geōrgíou, Turkish "Patriarch of Constantinople" redirects here For the institutional church itself see Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Historical Christian sites

Antioch (Antakya), the city where "the disciples were first called Christians" according to the biblical Book of Acts, is located in modern Turkey, as are most of the areas visited by St. Paul during his missions. Antioch on the Orontes (Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐπὶ Δάφνῃ Ἀντιόχεια ἡ ἐπὶ Ὀρόντου or Ἀντιόχεια ἡ Μεγάλη Antiochia ad Orontem also Antakya (انطاكية Anṭākyä; Ἀντιόχεια Antiókheia or Antiócheia) is the seat of the Hatay Province in southern The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and The Epistle to the Galatians, Epistle to the Ephesians, Epistle to the Colossians, First Epistle of Peter, and Book of Revelation are addressed to recipients in the territory of modern Turkey. The Epistle to the Galatians is a book of the New Testament. It is a letter from Paul of Tarsus to a number of early Christian communities in the Roman province of Described by William Barclay as the "Queen of the Epistles" the Epistle to the Ephesians is one of the books of the Bible in the New The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. The First Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament. It has traditionally been held to have been written by Saint Peter the apostle during his time as Bishop The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John ( pronounced, from the Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου Additionally, all of the first Seven Ecumenical Councils that define Christianity for Eastern Orthodox Christians and are also considered as foundational by Roman Catholics and some traditional Protestant churches, took place in the territory that is now Turkey. This is a general introduction to ecumenical councils For the Roman Catholic councils, see Catholic Ecumenical Councils. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

Freedom of religion

Main article: Freedom of religion in Turkey
Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul, Turkey.
Ashkenazi Synagogue of Istanbul, Turkey. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and the Government generally respected this right in practice however the Government imposes some restrictions on Muslim and other religious The Ashkenazi Synagogue is an Ashkenazi Synagogue located near the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice; however, the Government imposes some restrictions on Muslim and other religious groups and on Muslim religious expression in government offices and state-run institutions, including universities. [9]

Some societal abuses and discrimination occur based on religious belief or practice. Violent attacks and threats against non-Muslims create an atmosphere of pressure and diminished freedom for some non-Muslim communities. Although proselytizing is legal in the country, non-Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Jews face a few restrictions and occasional harassment for alleged proselytizing or unauthorized meetings. The Government continues to oppose "Islamic fundamentalism. Islamic fundamentalism Arabic: usul (from usul the "fundamentals"] is a term used to describe religious ideologies seen as advocating a return to the "[9]

Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Gennadios II. Mehmed II not only allowed the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to remain active in the city after its conquest by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, he also established the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1461, as part of the Millet system. The Byzantines used to regard the Armenian Church as heretic and didn't allow it to operate inside the Walls of Constantinople.
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Gennadios II. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish Gennadius II (in Greek Γεννάδιος Β' (lay name Georgios Kourtesios Scholarios, in Greek Γεώργιος Κουρτέσιος Σχολάριος Mehmed II not only allowed the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to remain active in the city after its conquest by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, he also established the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1461, as part of the Millet system. History Early history Christianity in Byzantium existed from the time of the Twelve Apostles, but it was in the year 330 that the Roman Emperor The Fall of Constantinople refers to the capture of the Byzantine Empire's capital by the Ottoman Empire on Tuesday May 29, 1453 (Julian Calendar The Ottoman Turks were the subdivision of the Ottoman Muslim Millet that dominated the ruling class of the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul is today head of one of the smallest Patriarchates of the Oriental Orthodox Church but has exerted a very significant political Millet is an Ottoman Turkish term for a Confessional community in the Ottoman Empire. The Byzantines used to regard the Armenian Church as heretic and didn't allow it to operate inside the Walls of Constantinople. The Walls of Constantinople are a series of stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul in Turkey) since its

Religious minorities say they are effectively blocked from careers in state institutions because of their faith. Christians, Jews, and non-Sunni Muslims face societal suspicion and mistrust, and more radical Islamist elements continue to express anti-Semitic sentiments. Additionally, persons wishing to convert from Islam to another religion sometimes experience social harassment and violence from relatives and neighbors. [9]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ CIA World Factbook, 2007 (HTML) (English). The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and the Government generally respected this right in practice however the Government imposes some restrictions on Muslim and other religious The region comprising modern Turkey has a long and rich Islamic tradition stretching back to the dawn of the Seljuk period and Ottoman Empire. Christianity has a long history in Turkey, which is the birth place of numerous Christian Apostles and Saints such as Apostle Paul History Early history Christianity in Byzantium existed from the time of the Twelve Apostles, but it was in the year 330 that the Roman Emperor (refer to Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople The list of Armenian Patriarchs of Constantinople presents the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople from the date History In 1921 the Autocephalous Orthodox Patriarchate of Anatolia was founded in Kayseri by Pavlos Karahisarithis who supported the Turkish nationalist struggle The Roman Catholic Church in Turkey is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Curia in Rome Protestants are less than 1 % of the population of Turkey and is increasing Jews {ref|name|§}} have lived in the geographic area of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) for more than 2400 years Hinduism is a minor religion in Turkey. There are only about 100 Indian families comprising roughly 250 people in Turkey Secularism in Turkey was introduced with the Turkish Constitution of 1924 and later the Atatürk's Reforms set the administrative and political requirements to create Cultural Muslim is a general term used to define a group of people who are identified by association with a Muslim community rather than Islamic faith or A list of 'famous' Mosques around the World: Africa See also List of mosques in Africa Asia This is a list of notable Synagogues in the Republic of Turkey. CIA (December 2007). near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all Retrieved on 2008-19-28.
  2. ^ Shankland, David (2003). The Alevis in Turkey: The Emergence of a Secular Islamic Tradition. Routledge (UK), 20. ISBN 0-7007-1606-8.  “Some [researchers] claim that the number of Alevis is as high as 30 per cent of Turkey's population. Others state that there are as few as 10 per cent. My own feeling . . . offered purely tentatively, is that the proportion of Turkeys' population that today holds itself to be Alevis is . . . perhaps nearer to 15 per cent. ” 
  3. ^ United Nations Population Fund (2006). The United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA) began operations in 1969 as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (the name was changed in 1987 Turkey - A Brief Profile. United Nations Population Fund. Retrieved on 2006-12-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the
  4. ^ Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11. Retrieved on 2007-05-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John
  5. ^ British Broadcasting Corporation (2003-10-29). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 437 - Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II Headscarf row goes to Turkey's roots. BBC News. Retrieved on 2006-12-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life
  6. ^ Çarkoǧlu, Ali (2004). Religion and Politics in Turkey. Routledge (UK). ISBN 0-4153-4831-5.  
  7. ^ British Broadcasting Corporation (2006-11-17). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers The Islamic veil across Europe. BBC News. Retrieved on 2006-12-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life
  8. ^ European Court of Human Rights (2005-11-10). The European Court of Human Rights ( ECtHR) (Cour européenne des droits de l’homme in Strasbourg was established under the European Convention on Human Rights Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw Leyla Şahin v. Turkey. ECHR. Retrieved on 2006-11-30. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats
  9. ^ a b c United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Turkey: International Religious Freedom Report 2007. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone

References

External links


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