The role of the ulama in the modernization of Tunisia

This thesis consists of four main chapters and focuses on the role of the ulama in the process of Tunisian modernization from the French protectorate to the Habib Bourguiba's era. In the first part, the literature of modernization, secularization and nationalism is examined in the context of religion-state relations in order to provide the theoretical framework of the thesis. In the second part, the place and importance of Zaytuna Mosque as an institution, as well as the position of the ulama towards the authority and its modernization practices during the period of the French protectorate, and their attitudes and activities during the process are examined. The third part focuses on the activities of the Zaytunians and their contributions to the national movement in the Tunisia's independence process. The fourth chapter, the last part of the study, reveals the activities of Habib Bourguiba, the first president after the establishment of the Tunisian Republic, during Tunisia's independence process, reform activities in the context of Tunisian modernization and, in turn, how and what role Zaytuna and Zaytunians played in this process. In the Appendix-1 of the study, information about the lives and relations of many of the personalities and ulama with Zaytuna is given. This section is significant in terms of seeing and comprehending this relationship more clearly. While making these studies, in addition to qualitative research methods, sources such as books, theses, articles, reports and news obtained as a result of literature review were used. As a result of these investigations, it has been deduced that from the Protectorate period until the end of the Habib Bourguiba period, the religious representational role and influence of the ulama has often been instrumentalized by authority in the context of modernization, used as a means of legitimization and repressed while the ulama's attitudes towards this situation, modernization and society's expectations are often weak but strengthened over time, and the factors affecting these attitudes were various.