Religious Tolerance and Coexistence in Ottoman Empire

The empire grew and its people spread even more by the end of the 16th century, led by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman's longest-reigning sultan, conquering Baghdad in 1513, Belgrade in 1521, Mohacs in 1526, and Siege of Vienna in 1529. Due to the massive extension and sultans' numerous 'leader' names in different lands, sultans were called 'caliphs' in Arabic, meaning the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler.

Religious Tolerance

Besides being united by the concept of conquest in the name of Islam, called 'jihad', the Ottoman Sultan was considered a 'protector of Islam', as was the Empire itself. With its strong religious backing and massively powerful slave-based army, few other forces were able to compete or defend themselves. Moreover, Mehmet II. was eager to educate himself and learn other languages, particularly Latin and Roman as he wanted to invite Christians and Jews back to the conquered land they left; such alliance would benefit both parties. Although Mehmet II. was recognized for his religious tolerance, quite an unusual practice in the Middle Ages, especially in Europe, he practiced so-called 'devshirme', meaning 'collection' tax. Devshirme was a system of boys recruitment at a very young age, from Christian families in the Balkans. Those kids were then distributed into groups based on their strengths. Children with better capabilities were trained to serve in the Sultan court, whereas the rest became a part of the army or sultan's guard. Those kids that were first taken as slaves, had numerous opportunities that allowed them to become powerful men and part of an elite group, called 'janissaries'. Those were surviving individuals of wars that then became scholars with land and power; essentially nobility that did not have to pay tax. Some of such become sultans of the Ottoman Empire, proving the non-discrimination of race or religion.

Religious Coexistence

Istambil became the center of Islamic civilization as an international city with numerous artists, scholars, and architects from other parts of the world, mainly Europe. Diverse Muslim mosques and palaces with characteristic cupolas were built as the conquerors of Islam revealed to be also exceptional constructors of complicated architectural structures. One of the main characteristics of the Ottoman Empire is race and religious coexistence that allowed Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families to freely practice their religions and customs, under the Ottoman Turks' laws. One of the main reasons for such a tolerant structure is due to the meaning of the word 'Islam' in literal meaning 'peace', according to the teachings of the religious book of Islam. As mentioned in the Quran: 'There is no compulsion in the religion', declaring that the faith of one's own, should not be imposed on others, as a man in faith is free of choice. (Quran, 2: 256) This was a completely unconventional recognition of differences in religions and tolerance than in the Byzantine Empire. Furthermore, due to the Ottomans' great ability to form unlikely alliances, both across religious and ideological lines, one particular partnership paired the Empire with France. Such cooperation proved beneficial to both parties as they similarly opposed the Austrian House of Hapsburg, therefore, they supported each other in their conquests of Nice, Corsica, and Hungary. This was one of the first diplomatic alliances between a Christian and a non-Christian empire.

Millet System

One of the unique arrangements that facilitated tolerance of religion and race was the millet system. Within the conquered city an autonomous religious community selected a former representative of their region and religion, millets. The particular former governor had power only within its sector allowing its members to practice their religious traditions, under the uniting power of the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, under the Ottoman millet system and its laws, Christians and Jews were recognized as 'dhimmi', in Muslim 'protected'.

In the pursuit of peace and stability in the Ottoman Empire, religious tolerance had a critical role as religious leaders received respect for their choice of faith and ensured that their fellow believers lived in some sense of harmony. Such allowance and circumstance made them obey and accept Islam as the supreme religion, living in cooperation and enhancing the Empire. Mentioned millets were allowed to create their own set of laws that would only implement within their borders. Although such millet enjoyed their freedom, Islamic laws were dominant and tax payment, called 'jizya', was mandatory as a display of loyalty. Furthermore, due to the non-discrimination of ethnicity, race, or religion, anyone could work in the legislation and contribute to the formulation of policies concerning public affairs in their particular region. As a result, religions were administered as governmental institutions with the Ottoman Empire being a supreme power, regulating such establishments with policies, based on their performance. Such freedom of religion divided the land into regions as Orthodox, Christian, Jew, Armenian, Christians, Muslim, and more.

Conclusion

Ottoman Empire was without a doubt one of the most influential and developed civilizations of its time. The population was diverse in culture and religion, however, the arrangement of mutual respect and tolerance created a good ground for the rise of the Ottoman Empire in property, its followers, and power. Although individuals that did not show loyalty to Islam were either oppressed or persecuted, numerous groups that did, lived in relative peace and harmony. This was due to the numerous debates that some sultans had with scholars, philosophers, and religious leaders from different parts of the world, on the improvement and tolerance system. The relationship between religion and the Ottoman Empire was based on cleverness and goodwill, as the Ottoman Turks understood quite well that tolerance and humanity, will be a better uniting force, than disciminating opression and violence.