What Religion Are Turkish People?
Is Turkey a muslim country or a christian country?
Turkey is one of the old countries where many events, such as religious conversion, have happened. The people of this country have witnessed many events throughout history and have always tried to unite with each other to overcome problems.
By examining the architecture of Turkey, you will realize that every government with any religion ruled this country has completely influenced the architecture of this country.
What religion are Turkish people?
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In general about 99% of the population of Turkey are Muslims and that people adhere to the Islamic tradition and laws so that the call to prayer can be heard every day in the big cities of Turkey, such as Istanbul and Ankara. Ramadan in Turkey is held in the best way as well.
Their mosques are also full of people during prayers. Every year, a large number of Turkish people attend the Hajj ceremony. Most Turkish people are Sunnis, mostly Hanafis; There are also Shiites, Alawites, Christians, and Jews in this country.
History of Religion in Turkey
Before accepting Islam, the Turks lived in different lands in Asia and Europe, had different governments, and believed in the sky god or Gok Tanri.
When the Muslims entered Turkey, there were many wars between the Turks and the Muslims until after 751, when friendly relations between them were established. The Turks accepted the religion of Islam because Islam was similar to the religion of the Turks in many cases.
Establishment of the Republic of Turkey
After establishing the Turkish government, Atatürk became the president of this country. England always tried to destroy the Ottoman Empire and finally achieved its goal. The five-hundred-year caliphate of the Ottoman government ended in 1924 AD by Atatürk and his party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
In 1923 AD, in the Turkish Parliament, one of the representatives of the Republican People’s Party said to the parliament members: “Gentlemen! The official religion of Turkey should be Christianity; Islam is against progress”.
At that time, the Turkish Parliament did not have more than one party, the Republican People’s Secular Party. However, they could not implement this proposal.
Religious Minorities in Turkey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, in its report to the National Assembly of this country, announced the number of religious minorities in this country as 89 thousand people.
There are 60,000 Armenians, 25,000 Jews, and nearly 3,000 to 4,000 Orthodox Christians living in Turkey.
Hijab situation in Turkey
Hijab status in this country is optional and has nothing to do with religion, so you can’t think she is irreligious by seeing a woman without a hijab. While maybe a person is completely religious.
But in holy places like mosques and churches, hijab is usually mandatory, and it is better to wear hijab if you go to these places.
To better understand this topic, read the article “What do people wear in Turkey.”
Mosques in Turkey
Mosques have a special place in Islam and Islamic countries. In Turkey, the mosque has always been very important in the past. You can understand this better by reading the article Why Hagia Sophia is important.
Some mosques, which used to be churches and were converted into mosques during the Ottoman Empire, became churches again after the secular government came to power.
Of course, in the last two decades, the activities of mosques have been growing, and people go to mosques more than in previous years. In the month of Ramadan, Sunni groups fill the mosques to pray.
In the end
In this article, we understood the main religion of Turkey is Islam, but different religions live in this country. Although there are different religions in Turkey, we have not seen any differences between them in recent years, and everyone is trying to progress in their lives by respecting others.
