Muslims and the Challenge of Secularism-Turks and Arab perspectives

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The research aims to analyze the concept of secularism in context of Turkey and Arab World. The research highlights the concept of secularism, and how it has been implemented and adopted in Turkey. It furthermore, identifies and examines the concepts of modernization and Westernization with respect to secularism. Being modern involves the expansion of human liberty and the enrichment of the variety of options available to societies, including their present and future standards of living. During the middle of 19th century, the Arab World started to experience an overwhelming impact of Western cultural influences, and along with it came secularism, which came to the Muslim world in combination of other terminologies and concepts like modernity, modernization and Westernization under the context of colonialism. During its initial phases, the Arab World characterized secularism by three features, as described by Zakariyya. The first characteristic was that it began to reconstruct the society of Arab world according to the modern European model. Societies which have the value system of the leading civilization are the most secular, the most modern, and have the greatest control over nature, while traditional societies are heavily spiritual, less modern, and have less control over nature. Transitional societies being neither modern nor traditional are battlegrounds of conflict involving spiritual and material values. Through extensive literature research analysis, the researcher has identified the issues in Arab World and the reasons why secularism has not been implemented and failed in Arab world. Furthermore the paper highlights the impact of Arab uprisings and how these uprisings have affected the thinkers to adopt the Turkish model. In the Arab World at large, the main challenge to civic movements aiming to strengthen citizen influence and enhance transparency of state institutions is an authoritative political environment and the ability of regimes to nurture splits among potential challengers, especially exploiting ideological divides between confessional and secular groups. Secularizing the political culture is also encumbered by the lack of cooperation between Arab leaders. Because of the political fragmentation, Arabs are culturally handicapped by a lack of understanding of the public interest. Since fragmentation inhibits the development of larger loyalties, the struggle for power assumes added dimensions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Research Aim & Objectives3

Research Questions3

Significance of the Study4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW6

Secularization6

Kuru's Framework for Secularism9

Social Institution of Secularism10

Secularism and Modernism as a Western Concept11

Modernization and Westernization12

Revitalizing the Ethnography of Islam and Secularism18

Development of the Arab World20

The Early Developments of Secularism in the Arab World24

Modern Turkey26

Modernization and Secularization in Arab World27

Islamic Institutions and ...