VISIBLE ISLAM IN MODERN TURKEY

by Adil Özdemir and Kenneth Frank


Table of Contents Foreword Introduction Notes on Methods Return to Main Page


Table of Contents

Foreword by Annemarie Schimmel
Preface

PART I   The Background

1 Introduction

2 Notes on Methods

3 The Present Juncture in the Spiritual Journey of Muslims in Turkey

4 A Brief Faith History of Islam

PART II   A Portrayal of Worship in Turkey

5 Expressions of Faith and Identity

The testimony
Circumcision
The role of the Kur'an
Pious phrases: Naming Allah in everyday language
Prayer beads
The birthday poem of the Prophet
Sacred nights
Weddings and sexual relations
The naming ceremony
Folk beliefs and shamanic figures
The interpretation of dreams
Evaluation: The impact of modernity on confession and witness

6 The Religious Orders

Nursis
Nakshibendis
Bektashis
Alevis
Mevlevis
Miscellaneous groups
Evaluation: The role of the tarikats in the modern state

7 Fasting and The Breaking of The Fast Holiday

Origins
Preparation for the arrival of Ramazan
The procedure for fasting
Iftar: Breaking the day's fast
Sahur: The pre-dawn meal
Allowances for personal circumstances
Recompense for undone fasting
The etiquette of fasting
Teravih and other activities in Ramazan
Ramazan festival preparations and the Ramazan alms
The Ramazan festival
Evaluation: The meaning of fasting in modern Turkey

8 The Funeral Prayer and Burial

Death
Preparation of the corpse
The Funeral Prayer
Burial
Condolence visits
Remembering the dead
Evaluation: Funerals - modern Turkey awash in religion

9 The Call to Prayer

The text of the call
The daily hours of the call
The procedure for the call
The internal call to prayer
Evaluation: The function and language of the ezan

10 The Pilgrimage

Origins
Setting out on the pilgrimage
A brief description of the sacrament
The return from the pilgrimage
Other religious visits
Evaluation: The modern experience of the hajj

11. Almsgiving and The Animal Offering

Zekat
The Ramazan alms
The festival of the animal offering
Evaluation: The challenge to charity of secularization and urbanization

12. The Sacrament of Prayer

The sacrament of prayer as a form of zikir
Components of the canonical prayer
Preparation for canonical prayer
The stations of the canonical prayer
Concluding petitionary prayer
The corporate sacrament of prayer
Corporate praise and petition
Recitation from the Kur'an
The Friday prayer sacrament
Principles and themes of the canonical prayer
Evaluation: Intensity of participation in the prayer sacrament

13. Cleanliness and Purity

The meaning of cleanliness and purity
The smaller ablution
Breaking the state of cleanliness and purity
The full ablution
Accommodations for personal circumstances
Evaluation: Private cleanliness and the environment

14. Mosques and Architecture

The original mosque: the Kaaba
The ecumenical character of a mosque
How a mosque is built
Visiting a mosque
Architectural elements
Evaluation: The meaning of the mosque today

15. Religious Functionaries

The muezzin
The ritual prayer leader and preacher (Imam-Hatip)
Higher officials
Turkish state Islam

Conclusion

Appendices

A Classification of Canonical and Non-canonical Practices
Ceremonial Practices Ranked by Intensity of Attendance
The Scheduling of Canonical Worship
Individual Religious Practices that are Tied to the Believer's Age
Current Areas of Controversy between Secular and Non-secular Worldviews in Turkey
The Yearly Schedule of Major Sunni Islam Celebrations and Holidays
Alternative Modes of Sacramental Practice According to Personal Circumstances
A Classification of Islamic Charity
The Term 'Prayer'
Gender Issues in Islamic Worship
Sets of Stations of the Canonical Prayer
Typical Themes of the Formal Sermon
A Standard Floor Plan of the Mosque
The Structure of Turkish State Islam
Underlying Principles and Ideals of Islamic Worship
Notes and References
Glossary
Short Bibliography
Index

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