Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria
Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria

Summary/Abstract: Turkey’s political-religious activity in Austria, which constitutes the research problem of this paper,is 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 the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdoğanand the Justice and Development Party (AKP). It can be argued that this period 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 areacan also be seen as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of another state – as is shown in the case of Austria. The state of Turkish religious diplomacy in Austria is analysed on the basis of the political-religious activities of the Austrian Diyanet branch, the ATİB. It seems 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 attempts to activate the Turkish diaspora in Austria and to shape a Turkish identity there.

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