A contemporary Mediterranean north-south divide : religion, secularism and politics

Abstract

One of the key themes of the Mediterranean studies is the North-South divide. In this context, this research will explore the Mediterranean North-South divide in terms of religion and secularism as one of the main characteristics of this divide. Religion is a major difference between the two shores of the region, and also as a variable that affects other sources of the divide such as politics. This study will also focus on Islam and its compatibility with Mediterranean processes of secularisation and modernisation, a question raised by many scholars after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the Islamic revival that followed. In analysing the themes and questions of this dissertation, two case-studies will be utilised: religion, secularism and politics in Turkey and the case of Muslim immigrants in the Euro-Mediterranean region, namely in France. Overall key themes of religion, secularism, post-secularism, modernity and Islam will be discussed throughout the research. Moreover, this dissertation brings into play the idea that when it comes to Islam, secularism, modernity and politics, Muslims are divided in three categories: modernists, traditionalists and fundamentalists. This dissertation seeks to analyse and explore the objectives through an interdisciplinary approach, and through the use of qualitative research, wherein both primary and secondary sources are consulted. The general findings from this research have shown that the Mediterranean religious North-South divide is more than just a geographical division, but also a metaphor that best-describes the religious state of affairs in the region. Additionally, it is also concluded that some forms of Islam are indeed compatible with different forms of secularism and modernity, in the context that there are multiple processes, and not just Western models. This dissertation also argues Islam has a significant contribution to make towards the notion of postsecularism, as much as any other religion. Finally, this dissertation paves the way for further research, arguing that some Muslim Mediterranean states might be heading towards post-Islamism, a political project that attempts to fuse secular and Muslim values.