Panel – Emerging Spiritualities: The Trajectory of New Spiritual Practices in Turkish Society Convenor: Kerem Görkem Arslan (kg.arslan[at]unistra.fr)
In the 19th century, magnetism and spiritualism gained prominence in the Ottoman Empire. Following the establishment of the Turkish Republic, neo-spiritualists congregated within specific social circles. Simultaneously, growing interest in Eastern mysticism paved the way for the development of new spiritual identities in contemporary Turkey. As for the 2000s, the democratization of the internet further facilitated the diffusion of European spiritual trends, intensifying interest in occultism, witchcraft, and paganism, particularly among younger generations. The widespread adoption of communication technologies and social media, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated the popularity of fast-consumption spiritual practices and prompted the integration of folkloric Islamic traditions into these new spiritual frameworks. This interdisciplinary panel, drawing on religious anthropology, marginalization studies, and history, will examine how these emerging movements challenge established religious norms and navigate tensions between secularism, individualism, and religious conservatism. These spiritual transformations raise essential questions about the intersection of religion, identity, and social change in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape. Discussions will focus on the sociopolitical and cultural factors driving these movements, their interactions with state and religious authorities, and how individuals are reshaping their spiritual identities amid the pressures of globalization and modernization. This panel seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the shifting religious and spiritual dynamics in Turkey and their broader implications for contemporary society.
IUAES Commission on Anthropology of the Middle East Anthropology Transforming, Middle East in Tension
September 10–12th, 2025, IFEA, Istanbul
Chair: Soheila Shahshahani
Co-Chair: Paulo Pinto
Executive Secretary: Magdalena Rodziewicz
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2025
Send abstracts (max 300 words) & a short academic bio to:
Venue: Institut français d’Études anatoliennes (IFEA), Istanbul
Registration Fee: $50 / 50€ (payable on-site)
OpenEdition vous propose de citer ce billet de la manière suivante :
Chargé de diffusion scientifique (3 juin 2025). Call for Papers | Conference “Anthropology Transforming, Middle East in Tension”, 10-12 September 2025, IFEA, Istanbul — LIMITE : 15/06/2025. IISMM. Consulté le 15 mars 2026 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/141to