Mehmet Zahid Kotku and the Iskander Pasha Jamaat: Sufis between Islam, Politics and Holdings

Abstract

The paper follows the path of development (and degradation) of the Iskander Pasha Jamaat, emerged from one of the branches of the Naqshbandi tariqa during the democratization process in Turkey in the second half of the 20th century. Originally an underground brotherhood, the community became a kind of an “invisible” university for many individuals in Turkish politics and public life. The community contributed to the emergence of parties of political Islam. After it parted with its leadership, it almost became a party itself, but was eventually reduced to a holding group and an interest circle. The study is based on a wide range of sources and research literature, including the following primary sources: the books and sermons of Mehmet Zahid Kotku and Esad Coşan, statements of Nureddin Coşan, biographical publications of the sheikhs’ students, and also an interview the author conducted with the leadership of the foundation affi liated with the jamaat.

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.