Turecka dyplomacja religijna w Austrii
Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria

Summary/Abstract: Turkey’s political-religious activity in Austria, which constitutes the research problem of this paper, has been analysed through the prism of “religious diplomacy”. Therefore, the paper attempts to assess Turkish religious activity in contemporary Austria. The aim of this article is to determine the role and significance of “religious diplomacy” as a foreign policy tool of Turkey in the era of Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule. It can be argued that the period of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s and the AKP’s rule is characterised by the government’s increased commitment to promoting the Turkish model of Islam. It seems that the religious factor is shaping Turkey’s current policy in Europe, but on the other hand activity in this area can also be seen as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of another state – as will be presented on the example of Austria later in this text. The state of Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria has been analysed on the basis of the political-religious activities of the Austrian Diyanet branch, i.e., ATID. It seems adequate to state that in this respect Turkish religious diplomacy as an instrument for using religion to promote the country among native Austrians must be considered ineffective. The lack of effectiveness in this field resulted in Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria being reduced to activating the Turkish diaspora in Austria and forming a Turkish identity there.

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