Religious authority and sunnism in the politics of Sultan Abdulhamid II

This study focuses on the place of Sunnism in the political vision of Sultan Abdulhamid II. It also examines how Sunni identity was positioned within his broader Pan-Islamist policies. While Pan-Islamism is often discussed as a response to Western imperialism, the internal religious dimension remains insufficiently addressed in the literature. Sunni identity, a core element of Ottoman identity, gained renewed significance during Sultan Abdulhamid’s reign. The Sultan promoted Sunnism to strengthen state authority and foster unity among Muslims. His efforts included both institutional reforms and societal initiatives. Drawing on primary sources from the Ottoman state archives, the study offers a historically grounded analysis of Sunnism during Abdulhamid’s rule. By situating this analysis at the intersection of religion, society and politics, it contributes to a deeper understanding of late Ottoman governance and provides a valuable contribution to the literature in religious studies, political science and Ottoman history.