The main religion of Turkey is Islam. Muslims consider themselves more than 90% of the population. On the territory of the state there are about 80 thousand mosques, regular visits of which the noble Turks consider it their holy duty. On the streets you can often find people dressed in clothes that can easily be judged on their religious affiliation.
However, such a thing as the “official religion of Turkey” has not existed since 1928. Since then, state policy has been isolated from the influence of Islam, the country's legislation does not rely on religious tenets and guarantees freedom of religion.
Briefly about the history of Islam
Islam originated among the Arabs inhabiting Arabia in 610. It is believed that it was then that the angel Gabriel appeared to the prophet Muhammad with news from God. Since then, this person’s life has been entirely devoted to the spread of the revelations received from Allah.
Although Muhammad possessed the gift of persuasion, the ranks of his adherents did not immediately grow. After some time, several dozen people who believed in the divine origin of the prophecies uttered by him, left the city of Mecca with the teacher. The reason for this was the hostility of those who did not accept Islam.
The group of adherents of the teachings of Muhammad who moved to Medina turned into the largest religious community in the city. The pagans, Christians and Jews living in it, the newly made Muslims faced a difficult choice: the adoption of Islam or death.
Toward the end of Muhammad's life, a significant part of the states of the Arabian Peninsula adopted a new religion. Before his death, the prophet said that those who did not want to become Muslims should be forced to do so. As a result of bloody “agitation”, Islam became the main religion of all countries of the peninsula, and then spread far beyond its borders.
What you need to know about Islam?
A lot can be said about how the most widespread religion of Turkey stands out. The main thing you need to know about her is the five main “pillars” of faith. It is their strict observance that distinguishes true Muslims.
- Belief in one God (Allah) and his angels and the recognition of Muhammad as the last of his prophets.
- Daily observance of namaz - a ritual consisting of the recitation of prayers learned from the Koran in certain poses, performed five times a day at a strictly defined time.
- Tax levied on the needs of the poor.
- Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
- Pilgrimage to Mecca.
The unspoken sixth pillar of Islam is the principle of the fight against infidels.
Bans in islam
Muslims are not only rich in Turkey, the religion of Islam is widespread in the countries of North Africa and Asia. All its adherents are united by laws, regulations and prohibitions. However, as in any other religion, there are convinced Muslims and those who only call themselves such.
Turkey's most widespread religion limits its adherents morally, morally, and spiritually. For example, Muslims should not eat pork, drink alcohol and gamble. According to the laws of the Qur'an, women are required to walk in a burqa. It is forbidden to portray God and people.
How Turkey Transformed from a Muslim to a Secular State
The deprivation of Islam to the status of the state religion of Turkey occurred in 1028. The merit in this belongs to the first president, who led the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk. The reform he adopted was aimed at introducing European values ​​in the country.
Thus, Turkey became the first Muslim country to completely isolate power from religion. Such a change could not but cause certain unrest in society and not provoke the emergence of an Islamic movement. In recent years, the influence of religion on the politics of the country has noticeably increased.
Consequences of the Abolition of State Religion
As a result of the change made to the country's constitution by Ataturk, its citizens gradually began to take their religion and the instructions of the Koran not so seriously. For example, the use of low-alcohol drinks has ceased to be condemned in society, many Turks smoke. Instead of five prayers a day, pronouncing only two was sufficient.
Turkish women boldly replace the burqa with a scarf in combination with a typical European outfit, or dress completely according to Western standards. However, the tradition of circumcising boys still occupies an important place in the life of the Muslim part of the Turkish population . The ban on eating pork is also strictly enforced.
Since the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, they have the full right to freely develop the religious minorities of the country. The new constitution of the state does not violate their right to worship.
How to behave with Muslims?
Turkey shows its full hospitality to visiting tourists. Religion plays a significant role in this. Muslims are always distinguished by their courtesy and courtesy. Of course, they count on a similar reaction from the guests of their welcoming country.
Which religion in Turkey is the main one and determines the principles and behavior of the modern population of the country - this is a question that should not be ignored by any person who intends to visit the state for tourist purposes. As a guest, it is important to take into account local traditions and people's views so that you do not inadvertently offend anyone.
For example, respect for the views of the Turkish population may be manifested in the wearing on their territory of not too revealing clothing. The closer to the center of the country, the more serious should be this nuance. Visiting mosques is allowed for everyone, but for tourists there is a specially designated place at the entrance to the building, beyond which it is better not to go.
Entering the cult building, a woman needs to put a scarf on her head and make sure that her arms and legs are covered with clothes. You can only enter into the building hyped. Visitors are better not to go to the mosque during prayers, especially since you should not try to photograph the event. Islam forbids making images of people. And although not all modern residents of Turkey adhere to this rule, before capturing any of them in the picture, it would be useful to ask permission.
Main Religious Holidays: Ramadan
The religion of Turkey, adherents of which is the majority of the country's inhabitants, includes the observance of three main holidays. Ramadan, an exciting part of January and February, is considered the month of the appearance of the holy book of the Quran. At this time, according to most residents of Turkey, the entrance to Hell is closed and opens - to Paradise, people get rid of the influence of evil.
Ramadan is a time for repentance and good deeds. Muslims believe that past sins this month are forgiven easier, and the violation of the Koran’s norms committed during this holy period is punished more strictly. Ramadan is observed by fasting - eating, drinking, smoking and having intimacy is prohibited only in the daytime.
The main religious holidays: Sheker Bayram and Kurban Bayran
Another important Islamic holiday, Sheker Bayram, is celebrated immediately after Ramadan, that is, from February 9, for three days. Its name, consisting of two Turkish words, translates as "sugar festival." These days are accompanied by visiting guests and plentiful treats.
The third important holiday celebrated in Turkey is Kurban Bayran, which falls in April. It lasts two or three days and often accompanies a pilgrimage to Mecca. Although the majority of believers in Turkey observe the necessary religious rituals without leaving their homes.
They sacrifice specially fattened animals to Allah, attend mosques, listen to sermons and praise God in songs. Kurban Bayran is also accompanied by a visit to the cemetery, in order to honor the memory of deceased loved ones.
Sunnis and Shiites
Sunnis make up 4/5 of all Muslim residents of Turkey. The split of Islam into two branches occurred for political reasons. Opinions were divided when the question arose of choosing a future ruler. Everyone agreed with the opinion that they should be a man from the clan of Muhammad. But in what kind of genus the ruler should belong, the views did not agree.
Sunnis and Shiites do not shun each other in the implementation of acts of worship, which are encouraged by the main religion of Turkey. They can pray together and make pilgrimages. Both of them honor the Qur'an and observe the five “pillars” of faith. Conflicts between these religious movements are extremely rare, since Shiites, realizing their small numbers, are trying in every possible way to avoid them.
Other religions in Turkey
All religions of Turkey in percentage terms are not easy to express, since the available data are very approximate. Christianity, Judaism and Yazidism in combination unite no more than 3% of the country's inhabitants.
More than 300 Christian communities are registered, of which 0.6% of the state’s population is members. Among them are Orthodox, Catholics and various Protestant movements. Basically, they do not experience pressure or oppression of their rights.
A very small percentage of the Jews in Turkey managed to build about 40 synagogues. Yezidism, the Turkish Kurdish religion, is the least numerous. Most of the ethnic group living in the north of the country are Sunni Muslims.
The centuries-old influence of the teachings of Muhammad greatly affected the behavior and lifestyle of the country's population called Turkey. Religion after the reforms no longer has such a strong influence on various spheres of human life. However, many of the customs and views generated by the verses of the Qur'an firmly settled in their minds. Those who strictly abide by all religious customs and those who violate them in many ways peacefully coexist in the country.