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Islam and Turkey

The secular nature of the Turkish state is enshrined within it`s constitution and discrimination on religious grounds is not acceptable. Nevertheless 99% of the population is Moslem and a government department exists to administer Islamic religious affairs.

The Islamic religion derives from the Prophet Mohammed who was born in Mecca in 571 AD into a polytheistic part of the world. Mohammed led the movement for acceptance of a single God and, as a result was obliged to leave Mecca with his followers and settle in Medina in 622 AD (the first year of the Islamic lunar calendar). Within 8 years Mohammed`s influence and following had grown to such an extent that he was able to return to Mecca, take over the ancient Kaaba shrine there and dedicate it to the worship of Allah.

The main split within Islam is between the Sunni and the Shia and revolves around a succession dispute involving Mohammed`s son-in-law Ali. In Turkey Sunnis constitute about 70% of Moslems, the Shia minority are called Alevis and have little in common with the Shias of other countries. The Alevis are generally less rigid in their religious observations.

Moslems see their religion as being the synthesis and perfection of monotheistic religions. Many important figures in religious history, including Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus are accepted as Prophets of Islam but Mohammed is the last Prophet.

The holy book of Islam is the Koran. The Koran lays down all precepts by which Moslems should conduct their lives including prohibitions on the consumption of blood, pork and alcohol and the requirement to dress modestly. It also requires that males should be circumcised.

According to the Koran we are all born Moslem but as we grow older we need to actively practise the five acts of faith required of every Sunni Moslem:

  1. To say and believe "I witness that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet".
  2. To practise Namaz (prayer) five times a day at prescribed times – early morning, noon, afternoon, early evening and night. These prayers are said facing Kaaba.
  3. To fast from sunrise to sunset and to behave well during the holy month of Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish).
  4. To make a pilgrimage (hac) to Mecca
  5. To give alms to the poor at the rate of 2.5% of annual income

Today approximately 18% of the world population is Moslem.