Turkey is a fascinating country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. With a rich history and culture, religion has played an important role in shaping Turkish society. So what is the predominant faith in this Eurasian nation today?
Overview of Religious Demographics
The major religion in Turkey is overwhelmingly Islam. According to government data, around 99% of the population identifies as Muslim. Within this Muslim majority, most Turks follow Sunni Islam, specifically the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence. The remaining Muslims in Turkey practice various forms of Shia Islam such as Alevism and Ja’fari.
While Islam dominates the religious landscape, Turkey does have small Christian and Jewish populations. Christians make up less than 0.2% of the country while Jews comprise about 0.03% The number of non-Muslims has decreased over the past few decades due to emigration and other factors
History of Islam in Turkey
Islam has deep roots in Anatolia, the Asian portion of Turkey Muslim forces began conquering parts of what is now Turkey as early as the 7th century AD Over the next centuries, Islam became firmly entrenched through the Seljuk and Ottoman empires that controlled the region.
Today, there are thousands of historic mosques across Turkey dating back to these medieval Muslim dynasties. During the Ottoman era which lasted into the 1920s, Islam was the state religion and the Sultan held the position of Caliph, or political-religious leader of Sunni Muslims worldwide.
In the 20th century Turkey transitioned into a modern secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Although Turkey adopted Western-style separation of religion and state Islam remained culturally significant. Since the 1980s, the role of religion in public life has been controversial as Turkey continues to define the relationship between faith and politics.
Sunni Islam
The majority of Turkish Muslims adhere to Sunni Islam, particularly the Hanafi school which is one of the four main Sunni denominations. Sunnis believe that religious authority rests with the prevailing consensus of Islamic theologians and legal experts rather than a formal clergy.
Sunni Muslims in Turkey pray five times daily, fast during Ramadan, and adhere to other pillars of Islam. Many Turks blend their Sunni beliefs with Sufi traditions that emphasize mystical dimensions of the faith.
The state oversees religious affairs through the “Presidency of Religious Affairs” which controls mosques and appoints imams. Members of other Muslim sects have complained about Sunni favoritism in government religious policy.
Shia and Sufi Islam
Between 10-15% of Muslims in Turkey identify with branches of Shia Islam outside of the Sunni majority. The most prominent group is the Alevi who follow a syncretic form of Shia Islam incorporating Sufi and folk traditions.
Alevis do not use mosques for worship and differ from Sunnis in their religious ceremonies and interpretation of Islamic law. There are also smaller numbers of Ja’fari Shias and Alawites concentrated in certain regions.
Sufism, with its focus on mystical worship rather than legalism, has a strong presence across both Sunni and Shia Muslim communities in Turkey. The Bektashi order and Mevlevi order of Sufi dervishes remain influential.
Christianity and Judaism
Turkey has been home to Christian and Jewish communities since ancient times, including important sites for early Christendom like Antioch and Constantinople. Christians in Turkey today belong mainly to Armenian, Greek, and Syriac Orthodox churches. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople still functions from its historic base in Istanbul.
Judaism has deep roots in Turkey going back to antiquity. The country became a haven for many Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. Today, most Turkish Jews belong to the Sephardic Jewish tradition. Synagogues like the Grand Synagogue of Edirne attest to centuries of Jewish heritage.
While comprising a tiny fraction of the population, Turkey’s Christians and Jews have an important place in the tapestry of national culture and religion.
In conclusion, Islam undoubtedly represents the dominant faith in modern Turkey with almost 100% of Turks identifying as Muslim. Within this overwhelming Muslim majority, Turkish Sunni Islam mingled with Sufi spirituality characterizes belief and practice for most citizens. Yet the country also maintains small but vibrant Christian and Jewish populations that add to its diversity. Religion remains a vital force—openly or subtly—in shaping private life and public affairs in this strategically located nation.
Things to Know Before Arrival
- For centuries, Turkey has served as the bridge between Europe and Asia, a place where east meets west. So, don’t plan your trip expecting only to encounter Islam.
- Dress respectfully when visiting any religious site, no matter what faith it represents. For men, this means wearing long pants. For women, covered legs and shoulders are a must, and some attractions may request that head coverings are worn.
- If you’re worried about packing extra layers, don’t stress. Most of the country’s prominent religious attractions offer rented or borrowed coverings to make your visit worry-free. But keep in mind that pants and long sleeves are an excellent way to protect yourself from the region’s powerful sun.
- Dressing appropriately is a great way to honor Turkey’s religion and culture. It will help you earn respect with local people and allow you to blend in with the crowd.
- On the whole, Turkey is a progressive country. Adherence to Islam is more evident in its dress, cuisine, and culture than its laws and politics.
- Its modern government offers protection to religious, ethnic, and sexual minorities just like any developed nation. And it’s a highly safe destination for foreign travelers!
From the first temple of human being Gobeklitepe to the first Christian church in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey has been a crossroads for religion and there are numerous sites and landmarks you can add to your bucket list no matter what religious monuments you would like to visit.
Religion in Turkey Today
Islam may be the dominant religion in Turkey, but it is neither the oldest nor the only one. Long before Islam entered the country, religion included Buddhism, Christianity, and lesser-known sects like Tengrism and Manichaeism. This is why the country is home to religious sites of so many different faiths.
In fact, a trip through the country’s Golden Triangle of culture reveals a wealth of historical landmarks that far predate Islam. So, what changed?
The influx of Islam also introduced many of Turkey’s stunning cultural practices. The most famous of these is the whirling dervishes performing their ancient Sufi dance.
Even with the growing popularity of Islam, Turkey still maintained an incredible level of religious tolerance. For instance, the Jewish communities with roots in Anatolia and those that immigrated from Spain and Portugal were autonomous in their domestic affairs. The same applied to the Christian communities, which consisted of Roman Catholics, the Assyrian Orthodox church, and small groups of protestants. This tolerance resulted in large thriving communities of non-Muslim Turkish citizens in the country.
In the 19th century, this relatively peaceful coexistence was put under threat with the coming of ethnic-religious nationalism.
Therefore, many non-Muslim Turkish citizens emigrated to Bulgaria, Israel, Greece, and Armenia: leaving small minorities in Turkey.
Today, around 99% of the country’s population practices Islam. More than 70% of the Muslim population in Turkey is Sunni, a branch of Islam that gets its name from the word “sunnah” which is a reference to the prophet Mohammed. You’ll find way more Sunnis than any other religious group in Turkey today because this branch of Islam was introduced in the region way back during the Ottoman Empire’s reign.
The other branch is Shia, whose first practitioners came from nearby Arab countries like Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. As a result, this faith was introduced later in the country’s timeline by immigrants from elsewhere in the region. In fact, during the Ottoman Empire, Shia believers were even persecuted by Sunnis’ majority population.
Nonetheless, these statistics tell you more about Turkey’s culture than religion. You will be surprised to learn that rather than being a strictly religious country, the majority of Turkish Muslims are liberal. These practitioners identify more with the culture of Islam than its religion. Therefore, they may identify as Muslims, but they don’t wear traditional clothing or adhere to strict religious practices. Don’t be surprised if you meet plenty of people who practice Islam at home but walk around in jeans and t-shirts just like you.
The rest of Turkey’s population belongs to religious groups like Christianity and Judaism. As Turkey has moved into modern times, more and more religious groups have come to call the country home. Major cities and cultural centers like Istanbul are globalizing quickly and are home to large ex-pat populations. In these areas, you can expect to encounter religions from all over the world.
For a taste of religion in Turkey now, pay a visit to any city center where you will feel the mix of different cultures right away. If you really want to understand the diversity of this cultural melting pot, add some of the region’s Jewish and Christian sites to your travel itinerary.
Now that you have a basic understanding of religion in Turkey, you’re ready to start planning your adventure. Start by considering which parts of the country you want to visit and which cultural and religious landmarks you can’t miss.
No vacation in this country is complete without a trip through the mosques, bustling markets, museums, and crowded public squares of Istanbul. This cultural hub is also a great place to sample Turkish cuisine, coffee, and its famous drink of choice, raki.
If you’re a traveling photographer, keep in mind that some museums and monuments will ask you to purchase a photography pass.
Remember that you should always ask for permission before photographing locals, especially while visiting religious sites. And, it helps to learn a few words and phrases in Turkish, too! Most people find it hard, and don’t worry if you can’t, as even the mimics will do it.
Our top tip for making the most of your time in Turkey is to arrive with an open mind.
On the whole, Turkey is a progressive country. Adherence to Islam is more evident in its dress, cuisine, and culture than its laws and politics. Its modern government offers protection to religious, ethnic, and sexual minorities just like any developed nation. And it’s a highly safe destination for foreign travelers!
Secular Islam is growing in popularity, especially among Turkey’s younger generations. Secular practitioners identify more with the culture of Islam than its religion. So, they don’t wear traditional clothing or adhere to strict religious practices.
Of all the countries where Islam is practiced, Turkey is quickly becoming one of the most secular! Don’t be surprised if you meet plenty of people who practice Islam at home but walk around in jeans and t-shirts just like you. The reason for this note is, both on movies and other media types, they give the message it is a religious country with a predominantly Muslim population. Such things, especially for those who follow the truth through these channels, end up with prejudice. After they visit Turkey, they quickly realize that what shown was not the same as what they saw.
The rest of Turkey’s population belongs to religious groups like Christianity and Judaism. But, major cities and cultural centers like Istanbul are globalizing quickly and are home to large ex-pat populations. In these areas, you can expect to encounter religions from all over the world.
Religion in Turkey explained | Tips for Foreigners, Non-Muslims
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