Islam and Democracy: A Closer Look at the Turkish Model
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 Boston.
Date: March 16, 2012
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 Boston.
Conference Schedule
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
8:00-8:30am, Gasson 112
Registration, coffee and pastries
8:30-10:00am, Gasson 112
Panel 1 - Islam and Politics in Turkey
Berna Turam, Northeastern University
Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University
10:00-10:15- Coffee Break
10:15-11:45am, Gasson 112
Panel 2 - Turks Abroad: Political and Religious Interests
Ahmet Yukleyen, University of Mississippi
Jonathan Laurence, Boston College
12:00-1:00pm, Gasson 305
Keynote - The Spectrum of Contemporary Islamic Renewal and Reform in Turkey
Scott Alexander, Catholic Theological Union
1:00-2:00pm - Free lunch for registered attendees.
2:15-3:45pm, Gasson 112
Panel 3 - Turkey and the Arab Spring
Ömer Taşpınar, Brookings Institution & National War College
Joshua Walker, German Marshall Fund & Harvard University
Reception to follow.
Event Photos
The audience in Gasson 305 on March 16.
Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University, speaking on March 16.
Event panelists and coordinators (L-R): Ömer Taşpınar (Brookings Institution & National War College), Burna Turam (Northeastern University), Birol Ozturk (Turkish Cultural Center), Joshua Walker (German Marshall Fund & Harvard University), Kathleen Bailey (Boston College), Ahmet Kuru (San Diego State University), Ahmet Yukleyen (University of Mississippi), Jonathan Laurence (Boston College), Ali Banuazizi (Boston College) and Scott Alexander (Catholic Theological Union)
Burna Turam, Northeastern University, speaking on March 16.
Jonathan Laurence, Boston College, speaking on March 16.
Joshua Walker, German Marshall Fund and Harvard University, speaking on March 16.
Ömer Taşpınar, Brookings Institution & National War College, speaking on March 16.
Birol Ozturk, Turkish Cultural Center, introduces the keynote speaker.
Keynote speaker Scott Alexander, Catholic Theological Union, speaking on March 16.
Audience during the keynote address.
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 Boston 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.