Shari`a in the Secular State

Russell Powell is Professor of Law and Associate Provost for Global Engagement at Seattle University, USA. He has previously worked as a diplomat and holds degrees in Near Eastern Studies, Philosophy, and Law. He has published widely on law, religion and secularism, and Islamic jurisprudence.

`Moving easily through social theory, theology, newly created data, and insightful interviews, Russell Powell's brilliant book presents an illuminating, nuanced, and persuasive account of the relationship between the diverse lived experiences of religion and law in Turkey. But the discussion also has profound implications for the relationship between law and religion in the United States and elsewhere. This is an exceedingly important book.'Steven H. Shiffrin, Charles Frank Reavis Sr. Professor of Law, Emeritus, Cornell University Law School, USA'Professor Powell’s study is a compelling exploration of the complex ways in which religious identity is constructed within the legally secular framework of modern Turkey. Meticulously researched and supported by quantitative data from empirical studies, it is particularly insightful into the contradictory understandings of Shariʿa in contemporary Turkey, from a symbol of faith for some to one of oppression for others.'Professor Ali Asani, Director, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, Harvard University, USA'Russell Powell’s conclusion that most Turks of different educational backgrounds and degrees of religiosity support traditional moral values while holding relatively libertarian views on freedom of religion offers an important corrective to much of the literature. Conceptually clear and methodologically innovative, this book makes an important contribution by identifying an enduring role for religion in shaping the moral universe of secular Turks and the constitutive role of Turkish secularism in framing the preferences of religious Turks concerning state implementation of Shariʿa.'Professor Aslı Ü Bâli, Director, UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, UCLA School of Law, USA

• List of Figures and TablesGlossaryPrefaceNote on Transliteration, Names and DatesIntroductionChapter 1 Religion in ContextReligion as the metaphysical or theologicalPsychological definitions of religionReligion as the socialReligion and politics: Boundaries and interactionsReligion and politics: The dynamic of competitionThe role of secularismChapter 2 Historical Meanings of Shari`aClassical Tradition and fiqhThe classical tradition of Ottoman jurisprudenceRange of modern approachesConclusionChapter 3 Landscapes of popular religion in TurkeySources of influence in Turkish popular religionEducationReligious organizationsReligious leadersThe mediaConclusionChapter 4 Turkish secularismHistoriographySocial science considering law and religion in TurkeyEmpirical studies considering preferences regarding Shari`aChapter 5 Descriptive Analysis of DataPreference for Shari`aReligionWhat is Shari`aShari’a processShari`a rulesMethodological approaches to Shari`aAnalysis of significant correlations in survey dataLinear regression and crosstab analysisBinary logistic regression modelConclusionChapter 6 Analysis of Qualitative InterviewsUniversity educatedHigh school educatedPrimary school education or lessReflections on the survey group of interviewsHizmet/Gülen-affiliated participantsChapter 7 Influences in the Formations of Views Toward Shari`aEkremDilekYusufElifHalilAltanFatmaHakanAhmetSevgiSedaMelekZeynepEmirNergisHizmet/Gülen-Affiliated ParticipantsObservationsConclusionBibliographyIndex