Perception of tariqa and sufism: a case study on university students attending Diyanet Youth Centers

ABSTRACT Perception of Tariqa and Sufism: A Case Study on University Students Attending Diyanet Youth Centers In modern societies, young individuals' approaches to religious and spiritual values have emerged as an important topic of sociological and psychological inquiry. Especially during adolescence and young adulthood—periods marked by intense identity exploration—university students strive to balance traditional religious structures with the dynamics of modern life. In this context, traditional spiritual structures such as tariqa (Islamic spiritual orders) and Sufism stand out with the experiences they offer in meeting young people's spiritual quests as well as facilitating social interaction. However, public perceptions of these structures extend beyond their spiritual dimensions and are often discussed in terms of their social, cultural, and even political implications. This thesis aims to understand university students' perceptions of tariqa and Sufism and to uncover the underlying reasons for their critiques of these structures. As the research setting, Youth Centers affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) were selected. These centers are regarded as significant spaces that promote young people's engagement with religious and spiritual values while also hosting social and cultural activities. A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess the knowledge levels, attitudes, and critiques of university students who attend these centers with respect to tariqa and Sufism. The survey aimed to analyze students' approaches to these structures in both individual and societal contexts, and to identify the influencing factors behind those perspectives. The introduction section of this study discusses the research topic, purpose, and significance in detail. The methodology, data collection tools, data gathering process, evaluation procedures, as well as the study's scope and limitations, are clearly laid out. The first chapter provides information on the concepts of tariqa and Sufism, traces the evolution of public perceptions of tariqa in Turkey, and explores the role of the Presidency of Religious Affairs' youth activities in this context. The second chapter presents an in-depth analysis of data collected from the survey. It examines the demographic characteristics of participants (e.g., age, gender, education level, participation in religious practices), as well as their general level of knowledge and understanding regarding tariqa and Sufism, core beliefs and sources of information about these practices, the influence of modern life on these perceptions, and personal attitudes and experiences with them. In particular, the socio-cultural, psychological, and religious factors underlying the critiques of these structures by young people are analyzed in depth. The conclusion and discussion section summarizes the main findings and evaluates their sociological and religious implications. The research reveals that university students' perceptions of tariqa and Sufism are influenced by both individual spiritual quests and broader social dynamics. It was also observed that the Diyanet Youth Centers play a significant role in shaping young people's attitudes toward these structures. The study offers important insights into how youth reconcile the appeal of traditional religious structures like tariqa and Sufism with the values of individuality and freedom offered by modern life. These findings provide valuable data for shaping future religious outreach efforts targeting youth, as well as for use in sociological research.