Religious Reform in the Late Ottoman Empire

Rezensionen / Stimmen

A thrilling account of the everyday life of Ottoman ulema based on unique quantitative data. It provides an understanding of what an average Ottoman alim's life looked like outside of the elite circles of scholars. A blend of institutional history of the Seyhuelislam's Office and new roles and positions the ulema acquired within society during the final decades of the Empire. * Nadir Ozbek, Bogazici University, Turkey * This book provides an interesting reassessment of late Ottoman scholars and their place during a time of imperial transformation and reform. Using prosopographical analysis, Bektas's study paints a rich picture of Ottoman religious scholars as mobile, politically-engaged functionaries who not only responded to institutional and social changes happening around them, but were important forces in shaping their world. * Micah A. Hughes, Indiana University, USA * Through this seminal work on the history of Ottoman Ulema ... Bektas's pioneering analysis of the Ulema in terms of their social origins, education and professional careers and experiences within the context of Istanbul as an educational hub is a genuine contribution to the field. * The Muslim World Book Review *