Review of Mark Soileau's Humanist Mystics: Nationalism and the Commemoration of Saints in Turkey (University of Utah Press, 2018), Die Welt des Islams: International Journal for the Study of Modern Islam, vol. 63, no. 1, 2023, pp. 142-144. (original) (raw)
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Mark Soileau's "Humanist Mystics" explores the commemoration and reinterpretation of medieval Sufi saints within the context of modern Turkish nationalism. Analyzing figures like Rumi, Hacı Bektaş, and Yunus Emre, the work examines how these mystics were repositioned as symbols of Turkish identity and humanism amid the secularizing reforms of the early Republican era. While providing valuable insights into Turkish nationalism and Sufism, the study also highlights gaps in comparative analysis with other contexts, underlining the unique challenges and narratives defining Turkey's cultural heritage.
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