The Enduring Hold of Islam in Turkey: The Revival of the Religious Ord

In The Enduring Hold of Islam in Turkey: The Revival of the Religious Orders and Rise of Erdoğan, Volume 1, author David S. Tonge provides the first English language account of how Ottoman-era religious orders now shape the future of Turkey. This history examines the limitations of secularization efforts under the Atatürk regime and explores the progressive reversal of these policies. As a major power in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey is often viewed through a Western lens of parliamentary democracy, yet this book reveals a much more complex religious reality.

Tonge investigates how the Naqshbandi religious order has influenced Turkish identity and fueled an anti-Western ethos. This historical analysis connects the revival of Turkish nationalism and Islam to the political ascent of President Erdoğan. By examining these religious politics, the text offers a necessary alternative to Cold War narratives. This history volume serves as a vital resource for understanding the intersection of faith and governance in modern Turkey.