Annemarie Schimmel and her contributions to the science of history of religions

Between the years 1955-1959, Annemarie Schimmel (1922-2003) was appointed as the head of the History of Religions Department of Ankara University Faculty of Theology. Schimmel has made significant contributions to the development of History of Religions Science in Turkey and has trained the first doctoral student of Turkey in the History of Religions. She has taught History of Religions for five years in Turkey and written a book on this science to be taught in the History of Religions Course. On the other hand, Schimmel presided the International Association of the History of Religions (IAHR) that has a significant impact on the institutionalization of the history of Religions for a decade and she has given many conferences about History of Religions and contributed to this branch with her studies. The aim of this study is to examine Schimmel's contribution to the History of Religions and view her thoughts, studies and methodology in this field. The first part includes Schimmel's life, personality and studies. In the second part, her thoughts on issues related to the History of Religions are emphasized. In the final part, Schimmel's contributions to the History of Religions and how she used the methods of this science are studied. While conveying information about Schimmel's life and works, her autobiographical work and articles written after her death were used. The part including the main lines and methodology of her perspective among with her contributions to the History of Religions were formed by making inferences from her own works. During the preparation of the study, historical and phenomenological methods were used. Schimmel's Religious Scientist aspect was tried to be given without neglecting her motto : "Human being fathoms as much as he talks!".