Islam and Democracy: A Closer Look at the Turkish Model

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A day-long conference co-sponsored by the Boisi Center, the Islamic Civilizations and Societies Program, the Peace Islands Institute, the Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe at Harvard Kennedy School, and the Turkish Cultural Center md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç.

Date:ÌýMarch 16, 2012

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Abstract

A day-long conference co-sponsored by the Boisi Center, the Islamic Civilizations and Societies Program, the Peace Islands Institute, the Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe at Harvard Kennedy School, and the Turkish Cultural Center md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç.

Conference Schedule

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

8:00-8:30am, Gasson 112
Registration, coffee and pastries

8:30-10:00am, Gasson 112
Panel 1Ìý-ÌýIslam and Politics in Turkey

, Northeastern University

, San Diego State University

10:00-10:15- Coffee Break

10:15-11:45am,Ìý Gasson 112
Panel 2Ìý
-ÌýTurks Abroad: Political and Religious Interests

, University of Mississippi

, md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College

12:00-1:00pm,ÌýGasson 305
KeynoteÌý-ÌýThe Spectrum of Contemporary Islamic Renewal and Reform in Turkey

, Catholic Theological Union

1:00-2:00pmÌý-ÌýFree lunch for registered attendees.

2:15-3:45pm
,ÌýGasson 112
Panel 3Ìý-ÌýTurkey and the Arab Spring

, Brookings Institution & National War College

, German Marshall Fund & Harvard University

Reception to follow.

Event Photos

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The audience in Gasson 305 on March 16.

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Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University, speaking on March 16.

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Event panelists and coordinators (L-R): Ömer TaÅŸpınar (Brookings Institution & National War College), Burna Turam (Northeastern University), Birol Ozturk (Turkish Cultural Center), Joshua Walker (German Marshall Fund & Harvard University), Kathleen Bailey (md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College), Ahmet Kuru (San Diego State University), Ahmet Yukleyen (University of Mississippi), Jonathan Laurence (md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College), Ali Banuazizi (md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College) and Scott Alexander (Catholic Theological Union)

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Burna Turam, Northeastern University, speaking on March 16.

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Jonathan Laurence, md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College, speaking on March 16.

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Joshua Walker, German Marshall Fund and Harvard University, speaking on March 16.

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Ömer Taşpınar, Brookings Institution & National War College, speaking on March 16.

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Birol Ozturk, Turkish Cultural Center, introduces the keynote speaker.

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Keynote speaker Scott Alexander, Catholic Theological Union, speaking on March 16.

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Audience during the keynote address.

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An audience member during the keynote address.

Event Recap

As the Arab uprisings continue to unsettle the societies and regimes of the Middle East and North Africa, Turkey has quickly become a powerful model of Islamic democracy for many in the region. With a ninety-year tradition of secularism and a more recent resurgence of religion in public life, Turkey is a fascinating, complicated nation at the intersection of continents, cultures and religious traditions. On March 16 the Boisi Center worked with several other organizations at md´«Ã½¹ú²ú¾ç College, Harvard University and the local Turkish community to host an all-day conference on the issue. See the event page for photos and videos, along with detailed description of the panels and speakers.Ìý

Audio

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