Globalisation has put Christianity and Islam face to face, increasing as well as imposing the need for a mutual understanding of each other’s heritage - even more so, since religion sees its status of a political variable restored on an international level. Islam is occupying a significant place on many agendas, from security to economic relations or in numerous cultural theories. Hypotheses such as the clash of civilisations, the need to democratise Islamic countries or the upcoming Enlightenment of the Middle East are being put forward and enjoy an ever increasing attention in policy making strategiess. It is therefore significant to explore the question to which extent “the mosque” - in a more general sense - has an influence on state affairs in a country like Saudi Arabia which, in the opinion of many, excels in religiosity, as compared to a democratic Muslim state like Turkey. This paper takes a brief close-up of the Christian and Islamic heritage regarding the separation of church and state, subsequently analysing the topic in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In a historical perspective, the question whether and how the mosque has contributed to the foundation of the two states will be answered. The extent to which they resemble an Islamic state will be than shown, investigating also the independence of institutions from the mosque. Finally, it will be seen whether religious beliefs are kept out of public policies motivations, and especially whether public money are used for supporting religious establishments. The analysis should point to one of the four possible mosque-state relationships: identity, symbiosis, subordination, separation.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Separation of Church and State
a) Separation of Church and State: Christianity
b) Unity of Mosque and State: Arabic Islam
III. Case Studies
a) Historical/ Political Background
b) Form of government
c) Institutions
d) Actors in political system
e) Policies
IV. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the influence of religion on state affairs by conducting a comparative analysis of the mosque-state relationship in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The central research question investigates how "the mosque" impacts governance, institutions, and public policy, contrasting the symbolic and institutional integration in Saudi Arabia with the secular principles established in Turkey.
- Comparative historical foundations of church-state separation in Christian and Islamic contexts.
- Institutional analysis of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in the two case studies.
- The role of religion in political systems and the influence of interest groups.
- Impact of religious doctrine on educational policies, women's rights, and the media.
- The relationship between state authority and religious fundamentalist movements.
Excerpt from the Book
Historical/ Political Background
The Saudi state did not emerge from the concept of “national identity”. The Bedouin philosophy of family loyalty and war for material gains couldn’t have undermined it more, whereas the long stretches of desert separating settlements rendered a durable political union impossible. It was missionary Islam -Wahhabism, an interpretation of the school of Islamic jurisprudence Hanbali- that provided the spiritual bond and justified the war of unification in the Arab peninsula.
Historically, there are two instances that reflect the combination of religion and politics as precondition for the establishment of the Saudi state. In 1720 Mohammed al-Wahhab began preaching his message in the Saudi province Neijdi, at the same time criticizing the sheikhs for not enforcing the Sharia. The main points included: the proscription of “bida” or innovation- any object or action not found in the Qur’an or Hadith is forbidden; of idolatry, tobacco, dance and music- “signs of ostentatiousness hindered true believers from contemplating God”, and the missionary doctrine of takfir wa qital-fighting against apostasy invoked to justify the jihad as means of conversion and conquest: “it was not enough for a true believer to purify his own life; he also had to reform those around him, this being the jihad or the holy war”. Fleeing for his life because of making inflammatory statements against the local governor, Mohammed al-Wahhab found refuge at Mohammed bin Saud, emir of Diriyah near Riyadh. Soon emerged an alliance based on the common purpose of unifying the Arabic Peninsula, motivated by the mission of purification, respectively by power.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the influence of the mosque on state affairs by comparing Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
II. Separation of Church and State: Defines the conceptual framework of state-church relations, contrasting the Western secular tradition with the Islamic concept of unity.
III. Case Studies: Provides a detailed analysis of historical backgrounds, government forms, institutions, political actors, and policy implementation in the two countries.
IV. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, highlighting the divergence between the religious symbiosis in Saudi Arabia and the bureaucratized secularism in Turkey.
Keywords
Mosque, State, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Wahhabism, Secularism, Church and State, Governance, Islam, Fundamentalism, Institutions, Sharia, Modernization, Political Reform, Human Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this work?
The paper aims to explore the extent to which religious institutions—specifically "the mosque"—influence state affairs by comparing the different political models of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
What are the main thematic fields covered in the text?
The analysis covers historical foundations, government structures, the role of religious and political actors, and policy areas such as education, media, and women's rights.
What is the central research question?
The core question is how the influence of the mosque on state affairs differs between a country that excels in religiosity, like Saudi Arabia, and a democratic Muslim state, like Turkey.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author uses a comparative political analysis, examining specific case studies through lenses such as historical background, institutional independence, and policy alignment with religious doctrine.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body investigates the historical alliance between religion and the state, the institutional frameworks of both countries, the role of opposition groups, and the impact of modern reforms on religious authority.
How would you characterize the work using keywords?
Key concepts include mosque-state relations, secularism, religious legitimacy, political modernization, institutional autonomy, and state-sponsored fundamentalism.
How does Saudi Arabia manage its relationship with religious fundamentalists?
The Saudi monarchy navigates a complex dynamic by using the "tamed" religious establishment to legitimize its rule while simultaneously suppressing extremist elements that threaten the state's security and stability.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the Turkish model?
The author concludes that Turkey has successfully bureaucratized religious institutions and fully embraced secularism, serving as a potential model for reconciling Islamic background with democratic governance.
How has the role of the Ulema changed in Saudi Arabia over time?
The Ulema’s role has increasingly shifted toward that of a religious bureaucracy dependent on the state, with their practical influence over policy and judicial matters declining as the government moves toward more modern, state-driven legal systems.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Daniela Pisoiu (Author), 2005, Mosque and State, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/123190
