II. Abdülhamid Dönemi Irak’ında Şiîliğin Yayılma Dinamikleri
The Dynamics of the Spread of Shiism in Iraq under Abd al-Hamīd II

Summary/Abstract: The Shiite presence in Iraq is linked to a series of important events throughout history. Periods such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, the Buwayhids, the Seljuks, the Mongols and the Safavids shaped the religious and political structure of the region. In particular, the Safavids’ adoption of Shi’ism as the official sect and their efforts to spread this sect were influential in the transformation of the sectarian structure in the region. During the Ottoman period, the policies of Abd al-Hamīd II aimed to consolidate Islamic unity and the authority of the Ottoman caliphate. However, the presence and influence of the Shiite population caused some difficulties in the implementation of these policies in Iraq. The reasons for the spread of Shi’ism in Iraq include demographic changes, the influence of the Safavids, Qajars and regional religious dynamics. In addition, the lack of education in the region and some policies of the Ottoman administration also paved the way for the spread of Shi’ism. In this context, the attempts to prevent the spread of Shi’ism in Iraq during the reign of Abd al-Hamīd II have an important place in understanding the Ottoman Empire’s efforts to direct the religious and sectarian structure in the region, and a detailed examination of this situation constitutes the main purpose of our research. The scope of the research covers the period of Abd al-Hamīd II’s reign (1876-1909) and focuses specifically on the demographic, social and religious changes in Iraq. The research utilizes primary sources from the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives and contemporary literature on Shi’ism. The methodology is based on document analysis and historical interpretation. Overall, the study reveals Ottoman efforts to manage religious diversity in the region.

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