Turkey’s new version of Islam akin to Christian Reformation

27 February 2008

Turkey's government is planning to publish a fundamental revision of The Hadith, the source of the majority of Shariah law. According to Fadi Hakura, Associate Fellow, Chatham House, Turkey's Department of Religious Affairs is trying to implement a major shift in the state's approach to Islam.

'The Turkish government is attempting to change the theological foundations of Islam and this is somewhat akin to the Christian Reformation. The project is an attempt to make Turkish Sunni Islam fully compatible with contemporary social and moral values' says Fadi Hakura.

He added: 'The Turkish state is moving the focus from people having to obey the many rules of Islam to a religion designed to serve the needs of people in a modern secular democracy. They are trying to fashion a new religious Islam'.

'They see this not as a revolution, but as a return to the original Islam, away from the excessive conservatism that has stymied all reforms for the last few centuries'.

Notes to editors:
Fadi Hakura is an Associate Fellow, Middle East Programme, Chatham House

Contact:
Interview bids should go direct to Fadi Hakura +44 (0) 7970 172 541

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