Presidency of Religious Affairs in the 1960s: The Pains of the Path of Institutionalization

The course of the relationship between religion and politics after the coup of 27 May and throughout the 1960s is linked to the institutional identity and institutionalization process of the Presidency of Religious Affairs. After a brief narrative of institutional history, this study will demonstrate the direct relationship between internal and external developments and active political life throughout the 1960s. Although legal regulations and official discourses were effective in the context of the establishment of the institutional identity of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the institution remained in the midst of political debate throughout the 1960s. The institution, which was under the influence of politicization and polarization atmosphere, was revealed in the light of the official Assembly records and press reports after the 1960 coup.