Müslüman kadınların deneyimlerinde mekânın ve duyguların rolü: Hanımlar İlim ve Kültür Derneği (HİKDE)

This thesis examines how "Muslim women" in Hanımlar İlim ve Kültür Derneği (HİKDE), which is regarded as a pioneer association in the process of Muslim women's activities in Turkey, define and give meaning to their experiences through the debates of Islamism and the public sphere in Turkey. It is revealed that although their main motivation and reference sources are Islam, women reject "Islamist" discourse attributed to them for the reason they find it political and also believe that their activities have meaning beyond any discourse, hence define themselves as just "Muslim women". This thesis also reveals the meaning and role of space and emotions in the activities of women. It is argued that for Muslim women, being in action which is regarded as a necessity in Islam, requires a space understanding beyond public/private dichotomy. While space is seen as a tool for carrying out their actions, at the same time as a historical madrasa building it corresponds to a representational space where Islamic practices are fulfilled and the understanding of waqf is maintained. In addition, it is claimed that this association is the embodiment form of women's emotions that encompass their actions and play a crucial role together with affective atmosphere that is created through certain objects and subjects. For this thesis, a fieldwork is conducted including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observations. Moreover, the content analysis of the Şadırvan Journal which was published in the first years of the association, and the analysis of other written and visual materials are included.