Political Islam in Turkey

Abstract

In this interview, Gülay Türkmen discusses the trajectory of political Islam in Turkey with Hayri Kırbaşoğlu, professor of theology at Ankara University's Divinity School. One of the main figures of the “Ankara school” in theology, known for their liberal interpretation of Islam, Kırbaşoğlu was among the founders of HAS Parti (The People’s Voice Party), a religiously oriented party that was later coopted by the ruling Justice and Government Party (AKP). Coming from an Islamic background, he remains staunchly critical of the dominant interpretation and implementation of Islam in today’s Turkey. In what follows, Kırbaşoğlu provides a detailed look at “Islam’s crisis”, both in Turkey and in the world, and offers ways out of it.