Imagine founding a religious institution. Then envision its spread across continents. The North London Diyanet Cami connects to such a story.
The North London Diyanet Cami is part of a larger network. It is connected to the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs called Diyanet. This organization regulates religious matters for Turks at home and abroad.
Founded in 1924, Diyanet initially focused on Turkey. By the 1970s, it expanded to serve Turkish citizens living in other countries. This expansion first targeted Western Europe. Later, it included the Balkans and ex-Soviet Turkic states in Asia.
The AK Party’s rise in 2002 intensified this transnational activity. Diyanet became a tool. It supported Turkey’s aim. The aim was to play a major role in global Islam. As of 2018, Diyanet operated in 36 countries. It had 61 branches.
However, the UK branch of Diyanet is relatively small. It has less influence compared to its counterparts in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. These countries have larger Turkish populations.
The UK branch of Diyanet was established in 2001. Currently, it operates in 17 mosques. It has 25 personnel. The North London Diyanet Cami is one of these mosques. The Diyanet also manages a girls’ dormitory. It provides religious services such as Hajj and Umrah arrangements. It delivers educational activities for Turkish migrants.
There are roughly 1750 mosques in the UK. These mosques serve three million Muslims. Only 17 mosques are connected to the Diyanet. These mosques serve around 300000 Turkish migrants. Field research indicates that most Diyanet activities have limited participation. Friday prayers are an exception.
Several factors contribute to Diyanet’s marginal role in the UK. One factor is the secular nature. It is more secular than Turkish migrants in Continental Europe. Migration to the UK often stems from political reasons. This contrasts with the economy-based migration to Continental Europe.
The first wave of Turkish migration to the UK. It began with the Alevi pogroms of 1977. It continued after the 1980 coup. These migrants were mostly leftists and Alevis. Alevis tend to be more secular than Sunnis.
After the 1990s, PKK supporters and socialist Kurds sought refuge in the UK. A later wave of migration began after 2015. This wave included secular middle-class professionals. They sought residence under the Ankara agreement.
In the 2018 general elections, the AK Party received a smaller share of diaspora votes in the UK. It received 18.5% of the votes. In Germany the AK Party received 55.7% of the votes.
Despite its smaller influence, the Diyanet in the UK possesses significant resources. It has the backing of the Turkish state. Whether it can expand its influence remains to be seen.
The North London Diyanet Cami stands as a testament to this evolving story. It represents a complex interplay of religion, politics, and cultural identity.