Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures

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Religious Associations: Turkey
(886 words)

From the earliest days of acceptance of Islam by Turks women have played an important role in the formation and development of religious associa tions, particularly of Sufi orders, though few are known by name. Turkmen tribes first came to Anatolia at the end of the eleventh century. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with increased Turkmen migration, Islam spread throughout tribal society, mainly through dervishes, who were dedicated, humble male believers. In the formative years of Ottoman society dervishe…

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Saktanber, Ayşe, “Religious Associations: Turkey”, in: Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures, General Editor Suad Joseph. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1872-5309_ewic_EWICCOM_0142e>
First published online: 2009



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