European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
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<strong>European</strong> <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scientific</strong> <strong>Research</strong><br />
ISSN 1450-216X Vol.14 No.3 (2006), pp. 372-387<br />
© Euro<strong>Journal</strong>s Publishing, Inc. 2006<br />
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm<br />
Islam and Education from Religious Man’s Perspectives<br />
Nazenin Ruso<br />
Educational Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University<br />
Gazimagosa, Turkish Republic <strong>of</strong> Northern Cyprus<br />
Via Mersin 10 Turkey<br />
E-mail: nazenin.ruso@emu.edu.tr<br />
Telephone 0392-630-2920; Fax: 3651584<br />
Abstract<br />
The present descriptive study investigates the observable effects <strong>of</strong> education on<br />
religion in TRNC from Imam’s (religious men’s) perspectives. Although the primary<br />
concern <strong>of</strong> the study is to see if there is a link between educational and religious values, the<br />
study presents a detailed description on the interests shown to religion and education in the<br />
country. Furthermore, the study investigates whether these values may change if TRNC<br />
joins to <strong>European</strong> Union. In this study, mainly a qualitative approach is adopted and 132<br />
Imams (religious men) from local mosques in Northern Cyprus responded to the openended<br />
questionnaire prepared by the researcher. The data analysis involves a comparative<br />
reading <strong>of</strong> the Imams’ opinions about education and Islam investigated through<br />
questionnaire. The findings <strong>of</strong> the study reveal that there is no observable effect <strong>of</strong><br />
education on religion. Moreover, the findings <strong>of</strong> this study emphasizes the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
religion for the development <strong>of</strong> a country but it Imams reported being disappointed in the<br />
interests shown to religious requirements such as attending to mosques. Another conclusion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the study reveals that nowadays, the youth started to loose many values but the<br />
unification <strong>of</strong> the island and Turkish entry into the <strong>European</strong> Union might have a beneficial<br />
effect on raising the religious level <strong>of</strong> Muslim Cypriots. Finally, participants in the research<br />
suggest that our educational and religious values will improve if we join to <strong>European</strong><br />
Union.<br />
Purpose <strong>of</strong> the Study<br />
TRNC is a secular and modern community following Ataturk’s reforms, who is the biggest figure who<br />
established secularism for Turkish people. Since Ataturk’s death, Turkish Cypriots have followed the<br />
religious practices for Turkey. All Turkish people accepted Islamic religion conveyed through<br />
Muhammad’s teachings and Holy book Koran. Although the state <strong>of</strong> Turkish Republic <strong>of</strong> Northern<br />
Cyprus (TRNC) supports Islamic religion, it is observed that in TRNC religious interests became a<br />
matter <strong>of</strong> private conscience. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the study is to find out how Imams view education and<br />
religion.<br />
Literature Review<br />
After reading relevant literature on the topic, several research questions aroused. This section presents<br />
the literature review on the topic and tries to show why certain questions were asked. First <strong>of</strong> all, the<br />
literature review reveals that what is meant by the word Muslim is a controversial issue on the island<br />
because the word “Muslim” means different to different people in TRNC. According to many religious