Over the past decade or so, the Turkish state’s policy of pushing a more conservative style of Islam for the savvy Generation Y and Z population has backfired especially in its mid to larger city centers throughout much of Turkey. This clearly the case in Istanbul and Izmir where many in these generations tend to steer clear of the more conservative style being pushed by the government and even the reverse has occurred resulting in a drift to a more softer Islam.
The state’s push is a “sinking ship” policy, which will eventually end in failure unless it can deviate from the current to something more appealing. Even with the almost limitless resources, coercion, media, manipulation, restrictions, laws and in some cases strong-arm tactics, the state is unable attract this more savvy demographic.
Let’s look at how the state has been trying to influence theses generations through an array of methods and channels.
Public education:
- The Turkish state has actively promoted Islamic public schools (Imam Hatip) by taking over secular oriented public schools and/or building state of the art brand new religious public schools while at the same time neglecting the other secular public schools. Many believe the results at these schools are mediocre at best.
- Mandatory religious classes are part of the curriculum for 99% of the student body, and these classes weigh as much as science classes in terms of the student’s overall grade point average.
- Higher weighing religious parts of the annual University National Exam (YKS) all are incorporated to emphasize the importance of religion, so a student will have to actively study in order to score better.
- State sponsored Koran courses offered by the local mosque.
- More state funds have be diverted from science to religious based education.
Public Mosques:
- The number of mosques in mainly liberal leaning or secular cities has doubled in a decade with some areas having 4 or 5 mosques within a stone’s throw away from each other.
- The state employs over hundred thousand Imams (holy person who runs the mosque) throughout Turkey. The cost to employ these people include salary, housing, and transportation.
- Daily attendance is minimal at a majority of mosques except on Friday afternoon. Most of the daily attendees are the elderly.
- The call to prayer (Ezan) by high volume PA’s systems has gradually increased over time and now the average call to prayer volume exceeds the 85db limit for many who live nearby mosques.
Media:
- Increase in the number of religious TV channels with the government support directly or indirectly.
- Increase in the number of cartoons on TRT Kids (government run TV station) with religious themes, parts or customs used in the cartoons.
- Cartoon channels programed just one click away from religious based channels like the Koran Channel
- Censorship of Internet or TV programs that run counter to Islam.
Employment:
- Preferential treatment in hiring especially in civil service and/or state controlled businesses like the three state banks (Halk, Ziraat, and Vakif)
- Female YZ’s feel you need to conform to Islamic dress codes in order seek employment in State jobs
Laws:
- Restrictions on alcohol consumption
- Dress codes (depending on the sector)
- Free speech
Of course, there are many other ways the state uses to try to push a more conservative islam on this group. Also, many of the above points are linked to politics and not religion but with the ruling political party (AKP) fully embracing a more conservative lean, for many it is the same in nature.
Why more religion?
The real push towards more religion started over a decade ago with the now President of Turkey, Erdogan, and his party the AKP, along with his current enemy the Gulen Movement or FETO, the name given given by the Turkish state to identify the group as a terrorist network. These two groups worked in conjunction with the aim of promoting more religion and its attached lifestyle and at the same time curtailing and defaming liberal lifestyles. Overall, they were able to transform and influence the YZ’s perceptions somewhat and showed potential on furthering their agenda.
However, the two groups fell out of tandem and now the other group, FETO, is labelled as a terrorist group. Nevertheless, the push for a more conservative style islam did not stop there. The current continued to push its agenda but without the “brains” or more educated part of the two groups gone, and the drive seemed to stall in terms appeal. Consequently, now the state has grown frustrated and become more erratic in it policy to push YZ’s.
Therefore, what can the state do to grab the attention of these two groups?
- Incorporate a Turkish style Islam with Turkish spoken prayers.
- Instead of Koran courses, offer English or computer classes or even a Boy’s Scouts club.
- Make it more female friendly.
- The Imams should be more friendly and understanding.
- Show this type of Islam is moving towards the future like the YZ’s.
- Upgrade the secular style schools to be fair and just.
Reflections💡
