Perceptions of religious officials about earthquake as a disaster: The case of Tatvan

The main aim of this study is to understand how the imams and Quran course instructors working within the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı) in the Tatvan district of Bitlis province interpret and perceive earthquakes, a form of disaster. The study discusses the relationship of earthquakes with religious concepts such as fate, resignation to God's will, willpower, and responsibility. The goal is to make an assessment in this regard. This research utilizes qualitative research methods and techniques. Within this scope, interviews were conducted with a total of 16 individuals, including 10 imams and 6 female Quran course instructors. A semi-structured interview form was prepared in line with the purpose of the thesis, consisting of 5 main questions and 17 additional questions, amounting to a total of 22 questions, in order to understand the thoughts/perceptions of religious officials regarding earthquakes. As a result of the conducted study, the participants in the interviews expressed that the understanding of fate and resignation to God's will has been detached from its societal context and has been used in a way that isolates it from the sense of responsibility recommended by Allah. Additionally, when questioned about their views on earthquakes, some religious officials stated that earthquakes occur only as a form of punishment, warning, or trial, while others expressed that earthquakes occur within the framework of Divine Laws/Adetullah. They mentioned that earthquakes occurring according to the Divine Laws is normal, and what matters is that people are conscious of their responsibilities, equipped with the intellect and willpower bestowed by Allah, and take the necessary precautions and measures. It was observed that the emphasis in religious belief context is on the fact that fate and resignation to God's will bestow a sense of responsibility upon individuals. During the interviews, some religious officials also stated that they view earthquakes and events like floods not just as disasters, but as signs from Allah. They mentioned that people's irresponsibility and lack of precautions lead such events to turn into disasters.