Official religion of Turkey

The main religion of Turkey is Islam. Muslims consider themselves more than 90% of the inhabitants of the country. On the territory of the state there are about 80 thousand mosques, the regular visit of which the faithful Turks consider their sacred duty. On the streets you can often meet people dressed in clothes, which can easily be judged of their religious affiliation.

However, there is no such thing as the "official religion of Turkey" since 1928. Since then, the state policy has been isolated from the influence of Islam, the country's legislation does not rely on religious postulates and guarantees freedom of religion.

Briefly about the history of Islam

Islam originated among the Arabs who inhabited Arabia in 610. It is believed that it was then that the angel Jabrayil appeared to the Prophet Muhammad with the message from God. Since then, the life of this man has been entirely devoted to spreading the revelations received from Allah.

Although Mohammed possessed the gift of persuasion, the ranks of his adherents did not grow at once. After some time, several dozen people who believed in the divine origin of the prophecies they uttered left the city of Mecca with the teacher. The reason for this was the hostile attitude of those who did not accept Islam.

Moved to Medina, a group of adherents of the teachings of Muhammad turned into the largest religious community in the city. Living in it pagans, Christians and Jews newly Muslims were faced with a difficult choice: the adoption of Islam or death.

By the end of Muhammad's life, a significant part of the Arabian Peninsula had adopted a new religion. Before the death, the prophet said that those who do not want to become Muslims should be made to do it. As a result of bloody "agitation" Islam became the main religion of all the countries of the peninsula, and then spread far beyond its borders.

What do you need to know about Islam?

About what stands out the most widespread religion of Turkey, you can say a lot. The main thing that it is necessary to know about it is the five basic "pillars" of faith. It is precisely their strict observance that distinguishes true Muslims.

1. Faith in one God (Allah) and his angels and recognition of Muhammad as the last of his prophets.
2. Daily observance of the prayer - ritual, consisting of reciting the prayers learned from the Koran in certain poses, carried out five times a day at a strictly certain time.
3. The tax levied on the needs of the poor.
4. Observance of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca.

The unsolved sixth pillar of Islam is the principle of fighting the infidels.

Prohibitions in Islam

Muslims are rich not only in Turkey, the religion of Islam is common in the countries of northern Africa and in Asia. All its adherents are united by one laws, regulations and prohibitions. However, like in any other religion, there are convinced Muslims and those who just call themselves so.

The most widespread religion of Turkey limits its adherents in a moral, moral and spiritual sense. For example, Muslims can not eat pork, drink alcohol and play gambling. According to the laws of the Koran, women are required to walk in a veil. It is forbidden to depict God and people.

How Turkey turned from a Muslim into a secular state

The deprivation of Islam of the status of the state religion of Turkey occurred in 1028. Merit in this belongs to the first president, who headed the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk. The reform that he adopted was aimed at the introduction of 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 policy of the country has increased significantly.

The consequences of the abolition of state religion

As a result of the change introduced into Atatürk's Constitution, its citizens have gradually become less serious about their religion and the Koranic prescriptions. For example, the use of low-alcohol drinks has ceased to be condemned in society, many Turks are smoking. Instead of five prayers a day, only two utterances were sufficient.

Turkish women bravely substitute a veil for a shawl in combination with a typical European outfit, or they dress completely according to Western standards. However, the tradition of circumcising boys occupies an important place in the life of the Muslim part of the population of Turkey to this day. Also strictly abolished the ban is pork.

Since the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, the religious minorities of the country have been fully entitled to freely develop. The new constitution of the state does not violate their right to worship.

How to behave with Muslims?

All the fullness of its hospitality is shown to visiting tourists by Turkey. Religion in this role is not the least. Muslims are always distinguished by their courtesy and courtesy. Of course, they expect a similar reaction from the guests of their friendly country.

Which religion in Turkey is the main one and determines the foundations and manner of behavior of the modern population of the country 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 in order not to offend anyone.

For example, respect for the views of the Turkish population may manifest itself in wearing not too frank clothing on their territory. The closer to the center of the country, the more serious should be taken to this nuance. Visiting mosques is allowed to all comers, 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 should put a headscarf on her head and take care of her arms and legs covered with clothing. In the building you can go only razootymi. It is better not to go to the mosque during prayer, especially if you do not want to 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 is not out of place to ask permission.

Main religious holidays: Ramadan

The religion of Turkey, whose adherents are the majority of the country's inhabitants, includes 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 Koran. At this time, according to the majority of the inhabitants of Turkey, the entrance to Hell is closed and opens - in 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 more easily, and violation of the norms of the Koran, committed during this holy period, is punished more severely. Ramadan is noted for fasting - eating, drinking, smoking and having intimate intimacy is prohibited only during the daytime.

The main religious holidays are: Sheker Bayram and Kurban Bayren

Another important holiday of Islam, Sheker Bayram, is celebrated immediately after Ramazan, that is, on February 9, within three days. Its name, consisting of two Turkish words, is translated as a "holiday of sugar." These days are accompanied by a visit to the guests and abundant 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 most of the religious people in Turkey observe the necessary religious rituals without leaving their native places.

They sacrifice specially fattened animals to Allah, visit 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 relatives.

Sunnis and Shiites

The Sunnis make up 4/5 of all the Muslim-speaking inhabitants of Turkey. The split of Islam into two branches occurred for political reasons. Opinions were divided when the question arose about the choice of the future ruler. With the opinion that they should become a person of the Muhammad family, everyone agreed. But in what kind of family the ruler should belong to, the views did not converge.

Sunnis and Shiites do not avoid each other in the implementation of acts of worship, which are prompted by the main religion of Turkey. They can pray together and make pilgrimage. Both of them honor the Koran and observe the five "pillars" of faith. Conflicts between these religious currents are extremely rare, since the Shiites, conscious of their small numbers, try to avoid them in every possible way.

Other religions of Turkey

All religions of Turkey in percentage terms are difficult to express, since the available data are very approximate. Christianity, Judaism and Yezidism combined in no more than 3% of the country's inhabitants.

Registered more than 300 Christian communities, whose members are 0.6% of the population of the state. Among them there are Orthodox, Catholics and various Protestant trends. Basically they do not feel pressure or oppression of their rights.

A very small percentage of the number of Jews in Turkey managed to build about 40 synagogues. Yezidism, the religion of the Kurds of Turkey, is the least numerous. Most of the representatives of this ethnic group living in the north of the country are Sunni Muslims.

The centuries-old influence of Muhammad's teachings strongly influenced the behavior and lifestyle of the country's population under the name of Turkey. Religion after the reforms has no longer had such a strong impact on various areas of people's lives. However, many customs and views generated by the verses of the Qur'an firmly settled in their minds. In the country peacefully get along those who strictly observe all religious customs, and those who violate them in many respects.