1. Full name of doctoral candidate: DOAN TUNG ANH 2. Gender: Male
3. Date of birth: August 26, 1995 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Decision on the admission of doctoral students: Decision No. 2775/2020/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 31, 2020, of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi.
6. Changes to the training process (if any): Extension of the study period from December 2025 to December 2026
7. Thesis title: The Relationship Between State and Religion in the Ottoman Empire, 1453-1703
8. Major: World History 9. Code: 92229010.03
10. Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Xuan Khang
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
This dissertation provides a comprehensive and systematic study of the premises, foundations, and processes that shaped the relationship between state and religion in the Ottoman Empire during the period 1453-1703. The dissertation analyzes the nature of this state-religion relationship, the policies and methods used to maintain the balance of power within the Ottoman Empire, and compares it with other historical periods of the Empire, as well as with other Islamic states. Based on this analysis, it explains the origins and characteristics of this state-religion relationship, and the influence of this relationship on Ottoman history during the 1453-1703 period; thereby illuminating contemporary Islamic issues and Islamic politics.
The relationship between state and religion in the Ottoman Empire, established during the period from 1453 to 1703, demonstrated a flexible and effective combination of Islamic principles, political pragmatism, and West Asian monarchical norms.
(2) The relationship between the state and religion of the Ottoman Empire during the period 1453-1703 was a process of continuous maturation and improvement in terms of theory, ideology and policy in integrating religion into the government apparatus without aiming for absolute theocracy.
One of the most striking features of the relationship between state and religion in the Ottoman Empire during the period 1453-1703 was the Empire's dual judicial system, formed on the basis of two parallel systems – Shar'ia and Kanunamesi. The coexistence of these two judicial systems demonstrated the pragmatism of the Ottoman state in dealing with relations with each religion in particular, and religious matters in general. The Ottoman Empire showed the formation and operation of two different institutions coexisting in parallel: secular and religious institutions. The Ottomans always emphasized the independence and parallel existence of these two institutions, considering it a perfect balance that brought prosperity and stability.
The success of the Ottoman Empire lay in its ability to govern a vast territory with diverse religions and ethnic groups. To achieve this, the Ottomans implemented an administrative system called the millet system, which distinguished residents based on their religious origins. Widely applied since 1453, the millet system became the foundation for managing different religious communities through negotiated agreements outlining the rights and obligations of the people to the state.
Studying the Ottoman relationship between state and religion provides valuable insights into the interaction between religion and state. Unlike contemporary European states, which shifted toward secularization during the same period, the Ottoman Empire maintained a model closely tied to religious principles. This approach, while successful for much of its history, required a delicate balance that became increasingly difficult to maintain over time.
The relationship between state and religion during the period 1453-1703 can be considered one of the most successful models of the Islamic world in the 15th-17th centuries, having profound significance for the history of Islam and the Ottoman Empire, as well as for Turkey in later times. To this day, the image of a perfect model and a golden age, or the Classical period, remains deeply ingrained in the minds of many Turkish politicians and the public, despite efforts to eliminate the influence of the Ottoman Empire after the Ataturk Revolution (1919-1923).
12. Directions for further research:
The topic is developed by expanding the scope of research to the 18th and 19th centuries, up to the transitional period from the Ottoman Empire to the secular republic of Türkiye; specifically in the field of the relationship between state and religion...
Continue to develop, explore, and approach the study of the relationship between the state and religion from the perspective of state management in history and the present day.
13. Publications related to the dissertation:
1. Doan Tung Anh (2021), “The role of Islam in the formation and development of the Ottoman Empire”, Journal of Religious Studies 2, pp. 112-132.
2. Nguyen Van Kim, Doan Tung Anh (2022), “Indian Merchants in Ancient Southeast Asia: The Case of Oc Eo-Funan”, Journal of Global and Area Studies, Vol.6 No.1 June, Institute for Global and Area Studies - Pukyong National University, Korea, pp. 155-173.
3. Doan Tung Anh (2022), “Ottoman-Aceh relations in the 16th century,” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 6 (627), pp. 60-70.
4. Doan Tung Anh (2024), “Tanzimat Reforms and the Ottoman Empire's Reaction to Western Powers, 1839-1876”, International Journal of Social Science and Education Research Studies, USA.
5. Doan Tung Anh (2024) “The perspective of Islam on the Rule of Law,” New trends in Contemporary Religious Studies, CERCS, University of Education Publisher, pp. 348-359.
6. Doan Tung Anh (2024), “Central Vietnam in the traditional Islamic trade system,” Central Vietnam's port system - Potential, position and regional and inter-regional exchanges, Hanoi National University Publishing House, pp. 486-502.
7. Doan Tung Anh (2025), “West Asian Merchants and Trade Relations between West Asia and the Central and Southern Seas of Vietnam,” Southern Vietnam's Port System - Potential, Position and Regional and Inter-regional Interactions, Hanoi National University Publishing House, pp. 452-68.
INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS
Full name: DOAN TUNG ANH
Sex: Male
Date of birth: August 26, 1995
Place of birth: Hanoi
Amission decision number No.2775/2020/QD-XHNV-ĐT dated December 31, 2020 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Hanoi National University
Changes in academic progress: Extension from December 2025 to December 2026.
Official thesis title: The State-Religion Relations in the Ottoman Empire, 1453-1703
Major: World History
Code: 92229010.03
Supervisors: Professor Nguyen Van Kim, PhD
Assoc. Professor Dang Xuan Khang, PhD
Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
Thesis conducts a comprehensive and systematic study of the preconditions, foundations, and the formation process of state-religion relations in the Ottoman Empire during the 1453–1703 period. Then, analyzing the nature of the relationship between the state and religion, as well as the policies and mechanisms employed to maintain the balance of power within the Ottoman Empire, while providing a comparative perspective with other historical periods of the Empire and other Islamic states. The thesis elucidates the origins of the characteristics of this state-religion relationship and its impact on Ottoman history; thereby shedding light on contemporary Islamic issues and modern Islamic politics.
The state-religion relationship of the Ottoman Empire established between 1453 and 1703 demonstrates a flexible and effective synthesis of Islamic principles, political pragmatism, and West Asian concepts of kingship.
This relationship was a process of continuous maturation and refinement-theoretically, ideologically, and strategically-integrating religion into the state apparatus without aiming for the absolute theocratization of the politics.
A prominent hallmark of this relationship is the Empire's dual judicial system, built upon two parallel frameworks: Shari'a (Islamic law) and Kanunamesi (secular sultanic law). The coexistence of these two systems proves the Ottoman state's pragmatism in managing specific religious relations and religious issues at large. The Ottoman Empire showcased the formation and operation of two distinct yet coexisting institutions: secular institutions and religious institutions. The Ottomans consistently emphasize the independence and parallel existence of these two, viewing it as a "perfect balance" that ensures prosperity and stability.
The success of the Ottoman Empire lay in its capacity to govern a vast territory inhabited by diverse religions and ethnicities. To achieve this, the Ottomans applied an administrative mechanism known as the millet system, which categorized subjects based on their religious affiliations. Widely implemented after 1453, the millet system became the cornerstone for managing diverse religious communities through negotiated agreements on rights and obligations to the state.
Researching the Ottoman state-religion relationship provides valuable insights into the interaction between faith and governance. Unlike contemporary European states that shifted toward secularization during the same period, the Ottoman Empire maintained a model deeply rooted in religious principles. While successful for much of its history, this approach relies on a delicate balance that became increasingly difficult to sustain over time.
The state-religion relationship during the 1453–1703 period can be considered as the most successful model in the Islamic world from the 15th to the 17th centuries, holding great significance for Ottoman and Islamic history, as well as for modern Turkey. To this day, the image of a "perfect model" and a "Golden Age" (or Classical Age) remains deeply ingrained in the minds of many Turkish politicians and the public, despite the efforts to erase Ottoman influence after Atatürk's revolution (1919-1923).
Further research directions
The topic is to be developed by expanding the scope of research into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and into the period of transition from the Ottoman Empire to the secular Turkish Republic, with particular focus on the relationship between state and religion. The research will further develop, explore, and approach state–religion relations from the perspective of state administration, in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Thesis-related publications
1. Doan Tung Anh (2021), “The Roles of Islam in the Formation and Development of Ottoman Empire,” Religious Studies 2, pp. 112-132.
2. Nguyen Van Kim, Doan Tung Anh (2022), “Indian Merchants in Ancient Southeast Asia: The Case of Oc Eo-Funan”, Journal of Global and Area Studies, Vol.6 No.1 June, Institute for Global and Area Studies - Pukyong National University, Korea Republic, pp. 155-173.
3. Doan Tung Anh (2022), “Ottoman-Aceh Relation in Sixteenth Century,” Southeast Asia Studies, 6 (627), pp. 60-70.
4. Doan Tung Anh (2024), “Tanzimat Reforms and the Ottoman Empire's Reaction to Western Powers, 1839-1876”, International Journal of Social Science and Education Research Studies, USA.
5. Doan Tung Anh (2024) “The perspective of Islam on the Rule of Law,” New trends in Contemporary Religious Studies, CERCS, University of Education Publisher, pp. 348-359.
6. Doan Tung Anh (2024), “Central Vietnam in the Traditional Islamic Trade Network,” The Central Vietnamese Port System: Potential, Position, and Regional and Interregional Exchanges, VNU Press, pp. 486-502.
7. Doan Tung Anh (2025), “West Asian Merchants and Trade Relations between West Asia and the Coastal Regions of Central and Southern Vietnam,” The Southern Vietnamese Port System: Potential, Position, and Regional and Interregional Exchanges, VNU Press, pp. 452-68.
Author:Department of Training and Non-profit Organization
Older news
