The rise of political Islam in Turkey

turkey, A Muslim-majority Country, Is Pivotal To Western Security Interests In The Middle East. Its Ruling Party, The Akp, Has Islamic Roots But Operates Within A Framework Of Strict Secular Democracy, Which Has Generated Controversy Over The Boundaries Between Secularism And Religion. This Monograph Describes The Politico-religious Landscape In Turkey And Evaluates How The Balance Between Secular And Religious Forces Has Changed Over The Past Decade. 'As a Muslim-majority country that is also a secular democratic state, a member of NATO, a candidate for membership in the European Union, a long-standing U.S. ally, and the host of Incirlik Air Base (a key hub for logistical support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq), Turkey is pivotal to U.S. and Western security interests in a critical area of the world. It also provides an example of the coexistence of Islam with secular democracy, globalization, and modernity. However, having a ruling party with Islamic roots--the Justice and Development Party (AKP)--within a framework of strict secularism has generated controversy over the boundaries between secularity and religion in the public sphere, leading to parliamentary elections, along with a new mandate for the party, in July 2007. This monograph describes the politico-religious landscape in Turkey and the relationship between the state and religion, and it evaluates how the balance between secular and religious forces--and between the Kemalist elites and new emerging social groups--has changed over the past decade. The study also assesses the new challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy in the changed Turkish political environment and identifies specific actions the United States may take to advance the U.S. interest in a stable, democratic, and friendly Turkey and, more broadly, in the worldwide dissemination of liberal and pluralistic interpretations of Islam'--Provided by publisher As a Muslim-majority country that is also a secular democratic state, a member of NATO, a candidate for membership in the European Union, a long-standing U.S. ally, and the host of Incirlik Air Base (a key hub for logistical support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq), Turkey is pivotal to U.S. and Western security interests in a critical area of the world. It also provides an example of the coexistence of Islam with secular democracy, globalization, and modernity. However, having a ruling party with Islamic roots-the Justice and Development Party (AKP)- within a framework of strict secularism has generated controversy over the boundaries between secularity and religion in the public sphere. This monograph describes the politico-religious landscape in Turkey and the relationship between the state and religion, and it evaluates how the balance between secular and religious forces, and between the Kemalist elites and new emerging social groups, has changed over the past decade. The study also assesses the new challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy in the changed Turkish political environment and identifies specific actions the United States may take to advance the U.S. interest in a stable, democratic, and friendly Turkey and, more broadly, in the worldwide dissemination of liberal and pluralistic interpretations of Islam. Preface Figures Tables Summary Acknowledgments Glossary, list of symbols, etc. Introduction Structure of the report The Islamic landscape in Turkey Religion, ethnicity and politics The management of Islam Sufi brotherhoods Religious movements Islamic foundations Islamic schools Shiites and Alevis Turkish attitudes toward religion The violent fringe Turks in Europe The rise of political Islam in Turkey The impact of the Kemalist revolution The advent of multi-party democracy The "Turkish-Islamic synthesis" The impact of the ZAL reforms The rise of the religious right Political Islam in power : the welfare interlude The impact of the February 28 process The AKP in power The reconfiguration of Turkish politics The AKP : a new synthesis or Islamism in disguise? "Green money" The headscarf controversy The Imam-Hatip schools controversy Non-Muslims minorities under AKP rule The AKP and the Kurds The AKP and the military AKP's foreign policy Relations with Europe Relations with the United States Relations with the Middle East Future prospects and implications Whither Turkey : alternative political futures Scenario 1 : the AKP pursues a moderate, EU-oriented path Scenario 2 : creeping Islamization Scenario 3 : military intervention Implications for U.S. policy.