Sep 2, 2026 · 52 min · 10 segments
In this episode, we explore the complex history and contemporary character of Turkish Cypriot Islam, a tradition often described as highly secular, private, or even residual. My guest, Mete Hatay…
Mete HatayGuestAndreasHostSo let's begin talking about Turkish Cypriot identity and religion, which is largely characterized as being secular.
Yes, I mean, Turkish Cypriot Islam today we can describe as residual, more compartmentalized and largely cultural.
So secular Turkish Cypriots or heterodox way of adopting Islamic practices have been a prevailing attitude amongst the Turkish Cypriots, even though with the introduction of the Kemalist ideals from Turkey in the early 20th century or after 1925, there was a kind of different kind of Islam at the island since the Tanzimat period, but also there were different kind of leanings amongst the locals in Cyprus.
Currently, Turkish Cypriots still call themselves Muslim, but nominally Muslim, probably.
And for many, it is only the Muslim practices limited to symbolic occasions like circumcision ceremonies.
During the British period, they tried to sort of balance the days or the religious days as holidays and they had to increase the numbers for Turkey.
They also came up with certain special days in Islamic calendar to give them holidays.
It's mainly populated by the immigrants from Turkey or now increasingly more with Bangladeshi and Pakistanis.
So we have to also emphasize that because in reality the de facto population, when we look at with the new arrivals from Turkey or elsewhere, Islam is becoming more visible in the public sphere in Cyprus.
So let's begin talking about Turkish Cypriot identity and religion, which is largely characterized as being secular.
Yes, I mean, Turkish Cypriot Islam today we can describe as residual, more compartmentalized and largely cultural.
So secular Turkish Cypriots or heterodox way of adopting Islamic practices have been a prevailing attitude amongst the Turkish Cypriots, even though with the introduction of the Kemalist ideals from Turkey in the early 20th century or after 1925, there was a kind of different kind of Islam at the island since the Tanzimat period, but also there were different kind of leanings amongst the locals in Cyprus.
Currently, Turkish Cypriots still call themselves Muslim, but nominally Muslim, probably.
And for many, it is only the Muslim practices limited to symbolic occasions like circumcision ceremonies.
During the British period, they tried to sort of balance the days or the religious days as holidays and they had to increase the numbers for Turkey.
They also came up with certain special days in Islamic calendar to give them holidays.
It's mainly populated by the immigrants from Turkey or now increasingly more with Bangladeshi and Pakistanis.
So we have to also emphasize that because in reality the de facto population, when we look at with the new arrivals from Turkey or elsewhere, Islam is becoming more visible in the public sphere in Cyprus.
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