Syed Ahmet Arvasi's (1932-1988) critique of Turkish nationalism /
This research investigates Syed Ahmet Arvasi’s ideas on an alternative model of nationalism that integrates Islam and ethnic peculiarities without discriminating against any minority groups, thus building social cohesion. It also explains the profound importance of Islam in Turkish society, and how...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Kuala Lumpur :
Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed of Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia,
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/handle/123456789/10998 |
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| Summary: | This research investigates Syed Ahmet Arvasi’s ideas on an alternative model of nationalism that integrates Islam and ethnic peculiarities without discriminating against any minority groups, thus building social cohesion. It also explains the profound importance of Islam in Turkish society, and how Islamic identity is interwoven with Turkishness. Firstly, this research examines the main features of the Atatürk version of Turkish nationalism, the factors behind its emergence, and the integrity of the Turkish society during and subsequent to Atatürk’s period. During the Republican period, Western influence became a dominant factor both in the construction of the national identity and in the fundamental processes such as secularisation and democratisation. This research finds that Turkey has taken very concrete steps towards Westernisation and consequently lost characteristics of its traditional Turkish and Islamic culture. Moreover, based on the ideas of Arvasi, this research finds that the ethno-centric European ideology of nationalism was alien to the Turkish people, who had been affiliated with a multi-ethnic Islamic identity and values for centuries. The ideology of modern Turkish nationalism demanded a secular approach, creating a nation based on secular and Western values, consequently causing tensions and social discord. This study accordingly suggests, based on the ideas of Arvasi, that there should be a more inclusive alternative model of national cohesion for the Turkish nation. This research also analysed the intellectual biography of Syed Ahmet Arvasi with special emphasis on his life and times, and his major works, exploring his important political thoughts on Turkish Islamic idealism and the concept of social race. Arvasi’s model of Turkish nationalism refuses to build its policy on ethno-centric biological racism and social inequality. This study presents that he proposed the concept of social race to bring people together, both spiritually and physically, through a common culture, geography, and struggle. Also, Arvasi suggested that the basic ideology of the Turkish nation was Islam, therefore the Turkish nation’s concept of nationalism must be inherently linked to Islam. In summary, for the Turkish nation to live in social harmony, the Turkish nationalism should be based on the concepts of the social race and Turkish-Islamic culture. |
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| Item Description: | Abstracts in English and Arabic. "A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences in History and Civilization." --On title page. |
| Physical Description: | x, 102 leaves : 30 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-102). |