Muslim secularisms in the European context

Abstract

This chapter contrasts the evolution of secular models in two post-Ottoman Muslim-majority countries in Europe–Turkey and Albania. Both countries, and their respective secular models, have historically developed under the dominant influence of European ideas of modernity, and similar concerns to ‘secure’the new states in a lukewarm European context. The secular arrangements, established during the founding moment of independent states in the early 20th century, resulted out of new state’s engagement with modern European concepts such as nation-and state-building, central-state authority and rational separation between state and religion. Yet, they also reflected the urge of these new states in the making to secure their European statehood by downplaying and controlling the contested role of Islam in the new European geopolitical sphere. What kind of secular models did Turkey and Albania, two predominantly Muslim states, develop within such a historical context? How do these models relate to European secular ideals? How do they discipline and control the role of Islam? And how have Islamic actors operates within these models–adapted, contested but also benefited from existing institutional frameworks?