Erasure of Cultural and Spiritual Diversity Through Nationalist-Religious Agendas? A Comparative Study of Curricula and Textbooks in Türkiye and Israel

The mobilizing effect of education on the masses is critically pivotal for modern nation-states’ endeavors to cultivate citizenship. To establish a cohesive civic identity, educational curricula frequently exclude histories, cultures, and religions that do not align with the dominant societal narratives. This article examines the cases of Türkiye and Israel within the context of religious education, interrogating the contemporary construction of civic identity as reflected in curricula and textbooks. Employing qualitative comparative analysis and critical discourse analysis, the study elucidates the ramifications of mobilizing a religious and nationalist agenda, a prevalent trend in nation-building that marginalizes ancient beliefs and religious diversity. Türkiye and Israel are selected as case studies due to their historically and geographically rich landscapes, which host diverse ancient traditions. In these contexts, the prevailing religious ideologies exert a politically structured influence on the formulation of civic identity, and this article aims to analyze these dynamics in both cases.