Hakan Köni

Formed of two major parts, the first part of this article investigates the limits of engagement between religion and politics in democracies with an extended theoretical discussion, and the second part offers a qualitative examination of the empirical Turkish case. Democratic theory provides a broad space of action for religion in political life in the context of pluralism and peaceful coexistence, freedom of religion as a basic human right, religious contributions to democratization, and practical use of religion in many democracies today. The Turkish case, examined vis-à-vis three variables, reveals that the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), firstly, exists as an official state department with pronounced finances and human resources yet to be devoid of any notable powers and autonomy in sociopolitical life. Secondly, despite various reforms adopted by the government, the field of religious education is fraught with various elements of discontent still for reasons like the management of religious education by the state almost totally, and denial of Diyanet and religious communities from the field. And finally, although much progress is recorded for greater religious rights and liberties for various religious groups in the country, a degree of dissatisfaction still continues mostly because of a load of structural problems that predate the current government.

Medieval Islamic Political Thought examines political thought based on Islam within the indicated period, as well as the theoretical and practical background that contributed to its formation.