Organized jointly by the Turkish Thought Studies Program (TÜDAP) and the Islamist Journals Project (İDP) under the auspices of the Scientific Studies Association (İLEM), the panel titled "Constitutional Debates in Islamist Thought" was held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Conference Hall of the TDV Center for Islamic Studies (İSAM). The panel aimed to examine the relationship between Islamism and constitutional thought from 1908 to the present, offering both historical and intellectual perspectives, and attracted considerable attention.
Moderated by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Aydın, the panel addressed the concepts of constitution and constitutionalism from multiple angles within the context of Islamist thought. In his opening remarks, Aydın noted that the notion of a constitution has deeper historical roots in Islamic legal tradition than commonly assumed, stating, “The Medina Charter constitutes a constitution in today’s sense. Muhammad Hamidullah considered it the first written and implemented constitution.”
In his presentation titled "Constitutions and the Idea of Constitutionalism", Ahmet Kemal Bayram explained that the term constitution was introduced into Turkish in 1960. Highlighting the influence of legal scholars during the 1960 coup, he noted, “Perhaps the most accurate translation would be ‘founding law.’” He emphasized that political relations exist in all societies, and that the question “Who will govern us, and how?” is among the most fundamental political inquiries throughout human history.
Nihat Bulut, in his talk "Concepts of Rights and Liberties in Islamist Thought", explored both classical and modern interpretations of freedom. He stated, “In classical Islamic thought, freedom was about achieving perfection, maturation, and happiness,” and underscored that in the classical period, freedom was primarily a topic of theology (Kalām) rather than a political discussion in its modern sense. He noted that in modern constitutional debates, the issue of liberties occupies a central place.
Ömer Baykal’s presentation, "Constitutional Issues in Islamist Thought: Realpolitik Discussions After 1980", focused on the rhetorical shifts in Islamist political movements. He remarked, “In their search to move beyond the rigid Kemalist regime, Islamists developed the discourse of an Islamic State,” noting that post-1980, this discourse softened and evolved into an understanding centered on the notion of an Islamic society. He further observed that Islamist critiques of the nation-state were not merely practical but also gave rise to a theoretical counter-discourse.
Abdurrahman Eren, in his presentation titled "Islamic Constitutionalism and Its Key Features in Contemporary Constitutions", emphasized that the concept of a constitution is a product of the modern era. He argued, “Neither the references in Aristotle and Plato nor the Medina Charter constitute a constitution in the modern sense.” Eren stressed that the constitution must be considered in conjunction with the foundational principles of the political system it is embedded in. “To speak of liberal, socialist, or Islamic constitutions, one must examine whether the essential codes of these principles exist in the structure of the state and society in question,” he concluded.
The panel concluded with a closing address by İLEM President Taha Eğri, who extended his thanks to those who contributed to the preparation process and to the panelists for their valuable insights. At the end of the program, panelists were presented with commemorative gifts, and a group photo was taken to mark the occasion.
Drawing significant interest from attendees, the panel provided a valuable academic platform for exploring the historical continuity and contemporary interpretations of constitutionalism within Islamist thought.
