When the Republic of Turkey was carved out of the old Ottoman empire in 1923 by Kemal Ataturk, this innovative leader had a futuristic vision for Turkey that had the country looking toward Europe, not the east. Therefore, he formed a secularized government that separated religion from state. In a matter of months the Arabic written language, which had been the official alphabet of the Ottoman Empire, was replaced with Roman characters. Other reforms included the banning of the fez hat and encouragement of western dress, and greater political and social rights for women. To this day, a strict separation of state and religion exists. The Turkish military, which is charged with upholding the ideals of Ataturk, has been a very strict enforcer of secularism whenever the government has leaned towards religious influence.

There are many traditional Muslims that yearn for a more religious state. One of the ongoing rifts between religion and government has to do with when a woman can and cannot wear a head scarf. When a woman is in a governmental or educational building she is not allowed to wear a covering on her head. Scarves are viewed as a religious statement, and especially in schools where young minds are influenced, they are strictly banned. For fundamental and political reasons, some activist women protest this ban. They have tried wearing scarves to their university classes and have been prevented from entering the building. Some have somewhat resolved this ongoing problem by wearing wigs. This issue, as well as many other divisions, will continue to cause dissent in the politics of Turkey which sits on the edge of the Islamic east, while looking towards the west.

The Practice of Islam in Turkey

For Muslims that actively worship in Turkey, a mosque is not far away. Wherever one goes in Turkey, the minarets of a nearby mosque dominate the skyline. Five times a day the muezzin gives the call to prayer, although most Turks could not actually translate the call since it is in Arabic. Muslim Turks are very hospitable and always will welcome visitors into their mosques, provided the proper protocol of taking shoes off and acceptable attire is worn. Many mosques that tourists frequent provide scarves and covers for those wearing shorts and tank tops. (However, it is advisable to go prepared with proper attire). The only times when a foreigner would be requested not to enter a mosque would be during prayer time or on Fridays during Cuma Namazi, which is their worship and teaching time.

When one enters a mosque complex, the first sight will be that of a fountain area where men will be performing ritual ablutions, washing of the heads, hands and feet. Women will quietly be separating into a separate private area out of view for this. Once a Muslim has properly cleansed, they then will go to the entrance of the mosque and take off their shoes and store them. Once inside, the worshiper will go to the area where the mihrah is, which indicates the direction of Mecca. All Muslims must pray in that direction. Men will be out in the open part of the mosque for prayers and women will separate into a back room or screened section for their prayers. The minbar is a dominate fixture in any mosque and is where the imam, or mosque cleric, delivers his Friday teachings, known as the khutba. In Turkey, although the prayers are conducted in Arabic, the teachings will be in Turkish. During prayers, the worshippers will always face the direction of Mecca and will kneel and lower their heads to the ground a number of times. This shows respect and humility towards Allah.

The Basic Beliefs of Islam

Muslims believe in only one God, named Allah. Of second most importance is Mohammed, the final prophet from a long line. They believe he brought the last revelation of God’s truth to man, with the help of the archangel Gabriel. Many stories of the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, are believed by both Christians and Muslims. However, while Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God that was sent to save sinners, Muslims only believe that he was a prophet.

To profess one’s faith as a Muslim there are five important duties. First, one must proclaim the statement, "There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his prophet." Also Muslims are to pray five times a day, give alms to the poor and fast during the holy month of Ramazan from sunrise to sunset. The final duty of a devout Muslim is to make a pilgrimage, know as the hajj, to Mecca at some point in their lifetime. There they are to visit Kaaba, which is a holy shrine they believe was built by Abraham. They also believe it is the place of Mohammed’s birth.