This chapter investigates Islamic-inspired volunteerism at Deniz Feneri Aid and Solidarity Association (Deniz Feneri Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Derneği), a charity operating in Turkey since 1998, under the light of theories of succes- sive modernities (see Jung and Sinclair 2015; Jung 2016 and 2017). Based on in- depth interviews with five volunteers and fieldwork within the organization, it tackles questions related to how Muslim forms of commitment have emerged and changed, both in shape and meaning, in the context of broader socioeco- nomic neoliberal restructuring in the country since the 1980s. In particular, the chapter investigates the way Muslims working as volunteers in this faith-based organization in contemporary Turkey think of their activism as a significant, often even essential, part of fully living a Muslim life in today’s society. For them, volunteerism is as important as complying with the key pillars of faith and with Muslim etiquettes of virtuous behavior. In this regard, they see their commitment as a fundamental complement to their life as pious people.

“Worship is Not Everything:” Volunteering and Muslim Life in Modern Turkey

VICINI F
2020-01-01

Abstract

This chapter investigates Islamic-inspired volunteerism at Deniz Feneri Aid and Solidarity Association (Deniz Feneri Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Derneği), a charity operating in Turkey since 1998, under the light of theories of succes- sive modernities (see Jung and Sinclair 2015; Jung 2016 and 2017). Based on in- depth interviews with five volunteers and fieldwork within the organization, it tackles questions related to how Muslim forms of commitment have emerged and changed, both in shape and meaning, in the context of broader socioeco- nomic neoliberal restructuring in the country since the 1980s. In particular, the chapter investigates the way Muslims working as volunteers in this faith-based organization in contemporary Turkey think of their activism as a significant, often even essential, part of fully living a Muslim life in today’s society. For them, volunteerism is as important as complying with the key pillars of faith and with Muslim etiquettes of virtuous behavior. In this regard, they see their commitment as a fundamental complement to their life as pious people.
2020
978-90-04-42556-9
Islam
Charity
Volunteering
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1028023
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