Looks Like Turkey Is Starting the Reformation--Or Not

Months ago the Geek posted his view that under all the hoopla over "Islamists" coming to power in Turkey, the reality might be different. To the Geek it appeared possible, if not overwhelmingly likely, that the emergence of the admittedly Islamist rooted AKP as the majority party in Turkey would help bring about the start of an Islamic Reformation.

Recent developments in the country appear to support the Geek's assessment. He would like to start crowing about his prescience, but can't. Not and be honest.

The most intriguing development comes from the quaintly named Presidency of Religious Affairs and Religious Charitable Foundation (http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/english/default.asp.) As announced earlier this year, The Presidency has initiated a three year program entitled the Hadith Project.

This might be important. And, then, it might not.

The Hadith comprises some 162,000 sayings and actions attributed to the Prophet Mohammad. Complementing the Quran, the Hadith serves as a foundation for Islamic law, Shari'a. The Hadith is central to the understanding and practice of Islam today.

The goal of the Hadith Project is to winnow the Hadith, to prune out those sayings which contradict the Quran or violate the fundamental principles of Islam. One member of the eighty-five member panel, Ankara University theology professor Ismail Hakki Unni, is reported to have said, "The Koran is our basic guide. Anything that conflicts with that we are trying to eliminate."

The Presidency in a carefully worded press release describes the nature and extent of the project. (http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/english/englh.asp?id=114.) The concluding line of the release is, "It will constitute an important step for carrying the universal message of the Prophet of Islam to the 21st century."

This simple wording encloses a major set of changes in the orientation of the Hadith. The goal of the Project according to Mehmet Gormez, senior lecturer in Hadith at the University of Ankara, is to bring out the portions of the Prophet's message which support human rights, women's rights, justice and respect for the other. (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1211288138020&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull)

Of course all must not be seen as peace, love and modernization on the Islamic Front no matter how engaging Gormez's words might be.

The relationship of the Presidency with the rest of the Turkish government must be looked at closely and critically. How independent are the assorted scholars and theologians associated with the Project? What agenda(s) are at work below the surface?

One possible hint regarding the currents running deep below the still waters of Gormez's characterization is given by the headscarf issue.

The headscarf issue?

You bet. The wearing of headscarves by Turkish women has become a barometer of Islamist tendencies. The AKP has moved to drop the Ataturk-era ban on women wearing headscarves in government offices and on university campuses.

The Hadith Project will apparently be evading the headscarf issue. Does that mean it will evade other touchy, but utterly central matters such as jihad, the ability of a Muslim to convert to another religion without fear of the death penalty or the rights of non-Muslims?

The Geek likes Turks very much. He hopes to see Turkey play the key role geography and history has made possible for the country as the broker between Muslims and the West. He would be delighted if the Hadith Project is the opening of an Islamic Reformation.

But, the Geek has doubts. Major doubts. He sees a possibility far larger in likelihood than Reformation.

Here it is, bucko.

The end result of the Hadith Project will be limited in impact to social issues of high visibility and easy condemnation such as honor killings, female genital mutilation and (perhaps) suicide bombings directed at non-combatants.

This would make Islam and Islamism more defensible as religio-political ideologies (and Turkey more attractive for EU membership.)

It would not, repeat, not either reform or modernise Islam. It would not, repeat, not defang the global ambitions of Islamists. It would not even limit the utility of jihadism and most of its tactics.

The Geek hopes he is wrong about the downside of the Hadith Project. But, he won't bet the ranch on it.