More dramatically, the Nizari Cult of the Assassins, founded by Hasan Sabah and centered at the mountain fortress of Alamut, terrorized both Christian and Muslim leaders during the Crusades and gave Europe the word assassin corruption of Hashish, which was used in their rituals. However, the fortunes of the Shi'i were very precarious until their establishment as the state religion of Safavid dynasty in Persia in the 16th century. From this point on, the Twelver Shi'i received significant support, protection and funding from the Persian state, and major theological centers were built up in Esfahan, Najaf, Qom and Mashad.
It has been particularly since the 16th century that the Twelver Shi'i have become the dominant Shi'i sect and developed a very distinct character from the Sunni majority. It has also been since the 16th century that the Twelver cause has taken on a strong identification with Iranian foreign policy, with Twelver minorities looking to Iran for support and Iran viewing Twelver's abroad as it's clients.
In the first few centuries of the Islamic era, any of Ali's descendents, the Alid's, where considered acceptable candidates to be leaders of the Shi'i, but as time went on it became more important for the Shi'i leader to be descended from Ali through Husayn along a designated line. Unlike the Sunni, the Shi'i normally use the term Imam to refer only to Ali and those descendents of his who led the Shi'i faction.
The most significant divide among the Shi'i today is among those recognizing 12 Imams known as Twelvers, and those recognizing 7, known as Seveners, or more commonly Ismailis, after Ismail, their seventh Imam, and the Zayyidi who differ after the fourth Imam, and who accept any Alid who is learned and who asserts his rule through force of arms. A significant feature of Twelver Shi'i belief is in the expectation of the return of the last Imam, called the Mahdi, to lead the faithful in establishing the Shi'i belief on Islam in preparation for the Judgement Day.
Other features with roots in Judeo - Christian tradition are the focus on the trials of the martyrs rawda kani and exultation of martyrdom in general, the use of self-flagelation as part of religious ritual and the commemoration of the 10 days ending in the events of Karbala ta'ziya which are the central event of the Shi'i calendar and bear significant similarities to the passion of Christ.
One Shi'i innovations is the permissible use of pragmatic dissimulation taqiyya , that is, the denial of faith in public, while maintaining it in private. Another innovation is the principle of temporary marriage mut'a , in which a marriage contract can be entered for a set time, for every period of time between 1 day and 99 years.
The woman entering the mut'a, is paid a set amount of money. According to some Shi'i traditions, a man performing 4 mut'as, is secured a place in Paradise. With the Iranian revolution, the system of mut'a was reinstalled as a part of the total Shi'i Muslim practice. While the Sunni view the Shi'i as innovators, introducing new and unorthodox elements into Islam, the Shi'i view themselves as the true fundamentalists of Islam by retaining the leadership of Muhammad's household.
This dilemma can be understood in the context of the methods with which the early Muslims sought guidance in matters not explicitly covered in the Koran. Sufism is a form of Islamic mysticism that emphasises introspection and spiritual closeness with God.
It is not a sect of Islam, but a movement of worship within Islam. There are multiple orders and communities based on the Sufi tradition in Turkey. Sufism emphasises the possibility of gaining direct knowledge of God through euphoric worship and other practices. They concentrate on different forms of ritual meditation patterns, such as chants dhikr. The Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order practice a form of active meditation where they whirl in circles on the spot during a worship ceremony sema.
This Turkish Order has become very well-known throughout the world, with many people gathering to watch the Sufi whirling semaze n.
The Alevis are the largest religious minority in Turkey. While their population size is a matter of debate, recent statistics estimated them to number around 20 to 25 million people. Their religious tradition combines Islam with elements of Turkish culture. Their religious practice also differs outwardly from the Sunni majority of Turkey.
They also do not bow during prayer in the same fashion as Sunnis. Alevi teachings put strong emphasis and value on reciprocal assistance without necessary practice of formal almsgiving. The Alevi population of Turkey can be divided into four categories on the basis of linguistic groups: Azerbaijani Turkish-speakers, Arabic-speakers, Turkish-speakers and Kurdish-speakers. Each of these further groups reflects a specific religious and cultural identity within the Alevi faith. The Turkish and Kurdish speakers constitute the largest Alevi groups.
Be the champion for inclusion in your workplace with exceptional tools and resources. Join over organisations already creating a better workplace. You can download this cultural profile in an easy-to-read PDF format that can be printed out and accessed at any time. Young people likely to challenge Islam and see themselves as less religious than previous generations.
Twenty-two-year old Esra, from Mersin, is even more bored than usual this Ramadan. Universities are shut and Turkey has taken the unusual step of placing unders, as well as overs, under a curfew, because many Turkish families live in intergenerational households.
And a few days into the Muslim month of fasting, like many young people, she is now feeling even more suffocated by the religious restrictions imposed by her pious parents.
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