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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the relationship between the mosque and the state, comparing the experiences of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It examines the historical and political contexts of these relationships, focusing on the extent to which religious institutions influence government policies and structures. The analysis will consider various models of mosque-state interaction, ultimately attempting to categorize the relationship in each case.
- The historical development of the separation of church and state in Christianity and Islam.
- Comparative analysis of the mosque-state relationship in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- Examination of the influence of religious institutions on government policies.
- Analysis of the independence of state institutions from religious influence.
- Categorization of the mosque-state relationship using models such as identity, symbiosis, subordination, and separation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic, highlighting the growing importance of understanding the relationship between religion and politics in the context of globalization. It outlines the paper's objectives and methodology, focusing on a comparative analysis of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
II. Separation of Church and State: This section provides a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between church and state, discussing different models ranging from complete separation to theocracy. It then examines the historical development of the separation of church and state in Christianity, emphasizing the influence of Greek philosophy and the tension between religious and secular authority.
III. Case Studies: This section will delve into the specific cases of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, exploring their historical and political backgrounds, forms of government, institutions, political actors, and policies. The analysis will focus on identifying the degree of interaction and influence between the mosque and the state in each country.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Mosque-state relations, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Islam, Christianity, separation of church and state, secularism, theocracy, comparative politics, religious influence, political institutions, public policy.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Daniela Pisoiu (Author), 2005, Mosque and State, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/123190
