Imam-Hatibins view of the mosque congregation-The case of Gulsehir

This study was carried out in order to determine the perceptions and expectations of the imams working in the Nevşehir province Gülşehir district center and its villages towards the mosque community. The universe of the research consists of imams working in mosques affiliated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs (DIB), and the sample consists of 32 imam-hatips working in Gülşehir district center and villages. Interview technique based on semi-structured questions, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. In this study, the guiding and determining roles of the imam-hatips, who maintain their social status and charisma as an active actor in the daily life of the mosque community, have been taken into consideration. In this context, it has been tried to reach inferences about the expectations of the imam-hatips from the mosque community as a social actor responsible for meeting the religious and spiritual needs of the society. In addition, it is thought that the findings related to the professional attitudes and behaviors of imam-hatips, community perceptions and expectations will contribute to the relevant literature and institutional studies.