David Tonge on the enduring hold of Islamic orders in Turkey
May 27, 2025
David Tonge on “The Enduring Hold of Islam in Turkey: The Revival of the Religious Orders and Rise of Erdogan” (Hurst).
The book meticulously explores the political, economic and social influence of major Islamic orders in the country over the last few decades, including the flourishing of several key groups under Erdogan’s AKP.
Listen here: https://turkeybooktalk.com/2025/05/27/david-tonge-on-the-enduring-hold-of-islamic-orders-in-turkey/
As Istanbul demonstrations continue,
how does President Erdogan stay in power?
March 26, 2025
Mass demonstrations have roiled Turkiye’s biggest city of Istanbul. Protesters are angry at the jailing of the popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption charges that they say are concocted. The mayor was shaping up as the strongest rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s been in power for 22 years.
While public support for Erdogan has slipped markedly, for much of his rule, he’s been popular. In large measure, that’s because Erdogan’s leaned heavily into Turkiye’s religious culture. David Tonge is author of the new book, The Enduring Hold of Islam in Turkey: The Revival of Religious Orders and the Rise of Erdogan.
Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/religionandethicsreport/turkiye-david-s-tonge-instanbul/105097678