Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, with Islam being the largest religion. Turkish Muslims mainly follow Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school of thought However, there are also minority Shiite communities, most notably the Alevi, as well as small Ja’fari Shi’a groups
Brief History of Islam in Turkey
Islam first arrived in what is now Turkey during the 11th century when the Seljuk Turks migrated from Central Asia. They brought with them the Sunni branch of Islam. Over the centuries various Turkic groups like the Ottomans established powerful empires in the region. This led to the widespread conversion of the local population to Sunni Islam.
During the Ottoman Empire, Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school was the state religion. The Ottomans promoted conversion to Sunni Islam within their realm. However, they generally tolerated other religious groups like Greek Orthodox Christians, Armenians, and Jews.
The collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I led to the founding of the modern secular Republic of Turkey in 1923. Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey underwent a program of rapid Westernization and secularization. Islam was no longer the state religion, though it maintained a strong presence in society.
Sunni Islam Dominates in Turkey
Today, an estimated 80-85% of Turkey’s population of 85 million are ethnic Turks who adhere to Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school. This makes Turkey overwhelmingly a Sunni Muslim country.
The main organization overseeing Sunni Islam in Turkey is the Presidency of Religious Affairs, also known as the Diyanet. It administers Turkey’s mosques and appoints imams. The Diyanet promotes Sunni Islam and provides religious services to Turkish citizens at home and abroad. Its budget comes directly from the Turkish government.
Many of Turkey’s most famous mosques like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul are associated with Sunni Islam. Turkish Sunnis mainly follow mainstream orthodox practices of the Hanafi school. There are also Sunni Sufi orders like the Mevlevis and Bektashis.
In recent decades, Turkey has seen a revival in public expressions of Sunni piety, such as mosque attendance and Islamic dress. Sunni identity remains an important part of Turkish society.
Minority Shiite Groups
Though Sunnis dominate, Turkey does have native Shiite minority groups, mainly the Alevi and Ja’fari Shi’as.
Alevis
The Alevi constitute the largest Shiite community in Turkey, though estimates of their exact population vary greatly from 10-25% of the country’s population. The Alevis follow an offshoot of Shia Islam that incorporates Sufi elements and pre-Islamic folk traditions.
Alevis faced persecution and discrimination for centuries due to their differences with Sunni Islam. In recent decades, the Turkish government has granted the Alevis more religious freedoms but stops short of full recognition. Some pious Sunnis still regard Alevis as heretical.
Ja’fari Shi’as
The Ja’fari Shi’as of Turkey are Twelver Shi’as, the main branch found in Iran and Iraq. They likely number a few hundred thousand.
The Ottoman Empire brought some Ja’fari Shi’as from eastern lands like Persia and Iraq to settle parts of Turkey. Today, Ja’fari Shi’as are found mainly in eastern provinces like Tunceli. They have traditionally faced hostility from the Sunni majority.
Modern Sectarian Tensions
In modern times, Sunni-Shiite tensions have occasionally flared up in Turkey. The Sunni majority generally regards the Shiite minority groups with suspicion.
The rise of a Shiite Islamist government in neighboring Iran after 1979 was troubling for Turkey’s Sunni political establishment. Turkey also opposed the Ja’fari Shi’a led government that came to power in post-Saddam Iraq.
In the Syrian Civil War, Turkey has backed the Sunni opposition against the Alawite-led regime of Bashar al-Assad. Alawites are an offshoot of Shiism.
However, Turkey tries to avoid an overtly sectarian foreign policy that would alienate Shiites. Turkey maintains diplomatic and economic ties with Iran and Iraq. The government also seeks to promote reconciliation with Alevis, through limited initiatives like recognizing some Alevi houses of worship.
To conclude, while Turkey is overwhelmingly a Sunni Muslim country, there are native Shiite groups who have historically faced discrimination. Tensions between Sunnis and Shiites can rise, especially concerning external events. However, Turkey mostly seeks harmony between different religious communities, in keeping with its secular system. The majority of Turkish Sunnis follow mainstream Hanafi practices, while Shiites like Alevis have more mystical and unorthodox traditions.
Here are some key points to remember:
-
Sunni Islam came to Turkey with the Seljuk and Ottoman Turkic migrants. It is followed today by 80-85% of Turks.
-
The Presidency of Religious Affairs promotes Sunni Islam nationwide.
-
Native Shiite groups include Alevis (15-20% of population) and smaller numbers of Ja’fari Shi’as.
-
Historic tensions exist between Sunnis and Shiites.
-
Turkey tries to balance Sunni religious identity with secular governance and minority inclusion.
Eating and drinking in Turkey
Islam does have some guidelines for food and drink, but they are unlikely to affect travelers, particularly in major cities like Istanbul.
Pork is not widely available and very few restaurants serve it. Alcohol, on the other hand, is, even though Islam technically prohibits intoxicants.
That being said, Özkan suggests having “clear limits” when you are drinking in public. Keep it close to your hotel if you can and understand that no one really wants to deal with drunk, rowdy foreigners.
Visiting a mosque in Turkey
Visiting a mosque is one of the best ways to learn about Muslim culture and experience unparalleled examples of Islamic architecture and design, which is typified by jewel tones, gold embellishment, and constellations of geometric patterns. Many historic mosques, including the Süleymaniye Mosque where Özkan works, are part of larger complexes that once included schools, cemeteries, and shops.
Mosques are open to all visitors except during prayer times. (Non-Turkish Muslim travelers are always free to join in prayers, says Özkan.) You can also engage registered guides for an educational tour of mosques like Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and Kariye Mosque.
During prayer, the Süleymaniye Mosque Cultural Info Center offers 20-minute presentations about Turkish culture, with complimentary tea or Turkish coffee — and sometimes even soup and baklava, says Özkan. The center’s volunteers are also available inside the mosque to answer questions about the history and architecture of this striking space.
When entering a mosque, both men and women need to have their legs covered and shoes removed. Women are expected to cover their heads with a scarf. (Don’t worry if you forget; most mosques have scarves you can borrow.)
Note that many Muslims come to mosques to pray or read the Koran or just relax in a sacred space even outside scheduled prayer times. Respect them by refraining from public displays of affection, taking pictures of them, or engaging in disruptive and loud behavior.
What’s The Difference Between Shia And Sunni Islam?
FAQ
Is Turkey more Sunni or Shia?
Are Egyptians Shia or Sunni?
Is Saudi Arabia Sunni or Shia?
Why are Turkish Muslims different?