Religion and ethno‐nationalism: T urkey's K urdish issue

One approach within the I slamic camp treats I slam, which emphasizes overarching notions such as the ‘ I slamic brotherhood’ and ‘ ummah ’, as incompatible with ethno‐nationalist ideas and movements. It is, however, striking that in the last decades, several I slamic and conservative groups in T urkey have paid increasing attention to the K urdish issue, supporting their ethnic demands and sentiments. Even more striking, the leftist, secular K urdish ethno‐nationalists have adopted a more welcoming attitude toward I slam. How can we explain such intriguing developments and shifts? Using original data derived from several elite interviews and a public opinion survey, this study shows that the struggle for K urdish popular support and legitimacy has encouraged political elites from both camps to enrich their ideological toolbox by borrowing ideas and discourses from each other. Further, T urkish and K urdish nationalists alike utilize I slamic discourses and ideas to legitimize their competing nationalist claims. Exploring such issues, the study also provides theoretical and policy implications.