Realising its demise in the age of European imperialism and colonialism, the Ottoman dynasty set out to reinvent itself. Caught between the West and their Eastern heritage, redefining its identity and what it means to be Ottoman in a modernised context without compromising its cultural characteristics became an imperial priority. When a state in decline acknowledges its weakness against its foes, it often resorts to mimicry. Inspired by the Qur’anic verse (7:34): "For each community there is an appointed term. When their time arrives, they can neither delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it", the medieval Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun’s (1332-1406) theories on cyclical history and imitation are useful for analysis.

Furthermore, not only did cultural mimicry occurred as civilisations declined, but there was always a desire to imitate the ‘Other’ from a position of power. Europeans began imitating Ottoman visual culture since the 16th century and this practise persisted into the 18th century, when Europe gained technological superiority.

Source:

M. Mustafa, Oriental Imaginings, Occidental Refashioning: Turquerie, the Tulip Age, and Ottoman Modernity, 1683-1867 (Sydney: Centre for Ottoman Renaissance and Civilisation, 2023), 5-12.

The two-part podcast episodes on Atatürk and Islam seek to illuminate the contributions of this remarkable visionary of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the primary emphasis of the podcasts will be on Ataturk's role in reshaping the religious culture in Turkey by providing his citizens with a distinct Turkish-Muslim identity. To achieve this, he undertookthe task of comprehending the Qur’an and its messages to humanity—encouraging the use of intellect and reasoning in the pursuit of knowledge to progress towards enlightenment and modernity.

Source:

M. Mustafa, Perceptions of the Other: Eurocentrism in theHistoriography of Islam from the Medieval Period to the Modern Era ~ Clash of Civilisations or Dialogue of Cultures? (Sydney: Centre for Ottoman Renaissance and Civilisation, 2025), 149-212.

The two-part podcast episodes on Atatürk and Islam seeks to illuminate the contributions of this remarkable visionary of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the primary emphasis of the podcasts will be on Ataturk's role in reshaping the religious culture in Turkey by providing his citizens with a distinct Turkish-Muslim identity. To achieve this, he undertook the task of comprehending the Qur’an and its messages to humanity—encouraging the use of intellect and reasoning in the pursuit of knowledge to progress towards enlightenment and modernity.

Source:

M. Mustafa, Perceptions of the Other: Eurocentrism in the Historiography of Islam from the Medieval Period to the Modern Era ~ Clash of Civilisations or Dialogue of Cultures?(Sydney: Centre for Ottoman Renaissance and Civilisation, 2025), 149-212.