Political discourse and Islam: the role of rhetoric in Turkey

Shukri, Syaza Farhana Mohamad and Hossain, Ishtiaq (2017) Political discourse and Islam: the role of rhetoric in Turkey. International Journal of Islamic Thoughts, 6 (1). pp. 57-70. E-ISSN 2306 -7012

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (9MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Adaletve Kalkinma Partisi (AKP, Justice and Development Party) in Turkey has been blamed for Islamizing the Turkish society through its conservative policies that have similarity with discourses originating from the Islamic principles. However, the AKP government has maintained that it abides by Turkish laicism. This paper identifies and analyses the extent to which rhetoric by AKP’s leaders has changed over the years. This is done in order to find out whether the party truly has an intention to Islamize Turkey as part of a strategy to win votes. The paper highlights how the changes observed are related to the current national mood and issues being discussed. As a result, the AKP cannot be said to be a party that had always intended to turn Turkey into a religious country. The rhetoric employed by the leadership in the last 13 years showed that the shifts in discourse were to manage the support it received by conservative Turks, rather than as an upfront to the secular establishment.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	3957/53938
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Turkey, Islam, rhetoric, discourse, communication, Adalat Kalkinma Partisi
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP173.7 Islam and politics J Political Science > JX International law
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Political Science
Depositing User:	Dr. Ishtiaq Hossain
Date Deposited:	04 Jan 2018 11:33
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2018 02:22
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/53938

Actions (login required)

View Item