Turkish-Islamic Nationalism and Views on Non-Turks
The Turkish-Islamic synthesis is a political and ideological framework that blends Turkish nationalism with Islamic values. While it presents a facade of religious unity, this ideology has historically fostered complex and often antagonistic views toward non-Turkish ethnic and religious groups. By positioning Turks as the rightful leaders of the Islamic world, proponents of this synthesis have created a hierarchy that distinguishes the "Turkish Muslim" from others based on ethnicity, language, and historical grievances.
Key Facts
- Ideological Core: The synthesis often portrays Turks as more loyal or "better" Muslims than other groups, particularly Arabs.
- Language Politics: Figures like Alparslan Türkeş advocated for the Turkish language to replace Arabic in religious practices, including the Quran and Adhan.
- Kurdish Identity: There is a recurring tension between recognizing Kurdish religiosity and denying Kurdish ethnic identity.
- Religious Friction: Efforts have been made to promote Hanafism over Shafi'ism among Kurds to encourage assimilation.
- External Hostility: Strong animosity exists toward Greeks and Armenians, driven by both historical conflicts and religious differences.
Perspectives on Arabs
Within Turkish-Islamic nationalist circles, Arabs are often viewed through a lens of cultural and political superiority. Ideologues such as İbrahim Kafesoğlu claimed that Pre-Islamic Turks were innately better Muslims than Arabs. This sentiment was echoed by Alparslan Türkeş, founder of the MHP and the Grey Wolves, who viewed the use of Arabic in religion as a "betrayal" and argued that the Quran and prayers should be conducted solely in Turkish.
Intellectuals like Necip Fazıl Kısakürek furthered this narrative by depicting Arabs as politically inept and culturally alien, often romanticizing the hierarchy of the Ottoman era. Modern tensions have escalated following the refugee crisis, leading to incidents of anti-Arab violence. In cities like Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş, Grey Wolves members have been reported ransacking Syrian-owned homes and removing Arabic signage from stores.
Additionally, some Turkish Islamonationalist organizations have sent fighters to Syria. For instance, the Alperen Hearths sent 250 fighters in 2015 to support Syrian Turkmen, though critics alleged some participants were primarily interested in taking photographs rather than engaging in combat.
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The Complex Relationship with Kurds
The approach toward Kurds is characterized by a contradiction: an admiration for their piety contrasted with a denial of their ethnicity. Some nationalists, including İbrahim Kafesoğlu, have claimed that Kurds are not a distinct nation but rather a Turkic-Turanid tribe that was assimilated by Iranians.
Assimilation and Religious Influence
Critics argue that Turkish Islamonationalists have attempted to erase Kurdish identity by promoting Hanafism (a school of Islamic jurisprudence) over the predominantly Kurdish Shafi'ism to facilitate assimilation into a Turkish identity. Some have even attempted to distance Kurds from Islam entirely to ensure the faith remains exclusively associated with Turks, which has led some Kurdish nationalists to leave the faith, viewing it as a form of spiritual colonization.
The "Piety" Paradox
Scholars like Hakan Yavuz and Jenny White note that Turkish Islamists often romanticize Kurdish religious devotion as a foil to the secularization of urban Turkish society. However, this admiration rarely extends to political rights. While the AKP initially sought to address Kurdish demands through an "Islamic formula," critics argue this failed because it maintained a heavy dose of nationalism and sought to make "Kurdishness" invisible by highlighting only "Muslimness."
Political Violence and Repression
The 1980 coup solidified the Turkish-Islamic synthesis as state ideology, coinciding with severe restrictions on Kurdish identity. This environment contributed to the rise of the PKK in 1984. Violence has also manifested in targeted attacks, such as the 1979 murder of Kurdish activist Metin Yüksel by Grey Wolves members.
Views on Other Minorities
Greeks and Armenians
Hostility toward Greeks and Armenians is rooted in a combination of historical territorial conflicts and the fact that these groups are Christian. The Grey Wolves have been linked to protests against the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the desecration of pogrom memorials.
Similarly, Armenians have faced targeted hatred. Examples include the murder of Sevag Balıkçı, an Armenian in the Turkish Army, by a supporter of Abdullah Çatlı. Nationalist groups have also protested Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Taksim Square, and some local leaders have used inflammatory language calling for "Armenian hunts."
| Group | Primary Perception | Key Driver of Tension |
|---|---|---|
| Arabs | Culturally "unrefined" or politically inept | Language (Arabic) and leadership of Islam |
| Kurds | Pious but ethnically ambiguous/assimilable | Ethnic identity vs. Religious unity |
| Greeks | Historical adversaries | Religion (Christianity) and territorial disputes |
| Armenians | Historical adversaries | Religion (Christianity) and genocide remembrance |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Turkish-Islamic synthesis?
It is an ideology that merges Turkish nationalism with Islamic faith, often positioning the Turkish nation as the primary protector and leader of the Islamic world.
Why did Alparslan Türkeş oppose the use of Arabic in mosques?
Türkeş viewed the use of Arabic for religious purposes as a "betrayal" and believed that the Quran, Adhan, and prayers should be in Turkish to align with Turkish national identity.
How do Turkish Islamonationalists view Kurdish religiosity?
They often romanticize Kurdish piety as a contrast to the secularism of urban Turks, yet they frequently deny Kurdish ethnic identity in favor of a unified Turkish-Islamic identity.
What is the significance of Hanafism and Shafi'ism in this context?
Turkish Islamonationalists have been accused of trying to replace the Kurdish Shafi'i school of law with the Turkish Hanafism to encourage Kurds to adopt a Turkish identity.
How has the refugee crisis affected views on Arabs?
The crisis has led to an increase in anti-Arab sentiment, particularly among the Grey Wolves, resulting in protests and attacks on Syrian-owned businesses and homes.