The 12 main fields of study and more than 70 sub-topics listed in the symposium guide are presented below for researchers.
Theme 01History & Philosophy
The History of Imam Hatip Schools
Historical processes, turning points and memory, from the pre-Republican madrasa and reform experience to the present day.
Dimensions of the Imam Hatip Model Reaching Back Before the Republic
The Law on the Unification of Education (Tevhîd-i Tedrisat), the Single-Party Era and Imam Hatip Schools
Imam Hatip Schools after the Transition to Multi-Party Politics
The 12 September Coup and Imam Hatip Schools
The 28 February Process and Imam Hatip Schools
Imam Hatip Schools from the Early 2000s to the Present
Theme 02Model & Character
Distinctive Features of the Imam Hatip Model
A human model that bridges tradition and the modern sciences, state oversight and the struggle against extremism.
Being Part of the General Education System
Originality in Terms of Aims and Functions
Its Position under State Supervision and Oversight in the Public Sphere
Balancing Traditional Heritage and Modern Education (Religious and Modern Sciences Side by Side in the Curriculum)
Building a Sound Understanding of Religion and Combating Extremism
The Qualities of the Individual the Imam Hatip Model Seeks to Raise
Theme 03Curriculum & Project Schools
Curriculum Diversity and Thematic Imam Hatip Models
Science, social science, arts, sports and international project schools; integration of the competency framework of the Türkiye Century Education Model.
The Emergence and Aims of Project Imam Hatip Schools
Advantages and Limits of the Thematic School Model
Programme Diversity: Science, Social Science, Arts and Sports Project Schools
International Imam Hatip High Schools: Education Diplomacy and Türkiye’s Experience in Religious Education
An Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrating the Natural Sciences and Theology in Imam Hatip Schools
Updating the Vocational Curriculum: Classical Texts and Contemporary Needs
Examples of Successful Practice
The Virtue-Value-Action Framework of the Türkiye Century Education Curriculum and Values Education in Imam Hatip Schools
The Imam Hatip Curriculum within the Competency Framework of the Türkiye Century Education Model
Foreign Language Teaching in Imam Hatip Schools
Arabic Teaching in Imam Hatip Schools: New Methods and Techniques
Theme 04Internationalisation
Models of Religious Education around the World and Imam Hatip Schools
Comparative global religious education, from the Balkans, Central Asia and the Islamic world to Muslim minority schools in the West.
Imam Hatip Schools as a Model for the Balkans, Central Asia and the Islamic World
A Comparison of Muslim Minority Schools in the West with Imam Hatip Schools
The Place of Religious Education in Modern Education Systems: Global Trends
A Comparison of Imam Hatip-Type Institutions Established in Different Countries
Theme 05Pedagogy
Vocational Religious Education in Imam Hatip Schools
Instructional technology, digital tools, the pedagogical quality of textbooks and teacher competencies.
Teaching Vocational Subjects; Instructional Technology (Methods/Techniques, Tools and Equipment, Visual, Audio and Digital Materials, etc.)
The Student Profile in Imam Hatip Schools: Quantity or Quality?
Personal and Professional Competencies of Vocational Subject Teachers in Imam Hatip Schools
Language, Content, Pedagogical Adequacy and Currency of Vocational Subject Textbooks
Theme 06Management & Climate
Institutional Capacity, Management and School Climate
Administrator and teacher profiles, spatial design, school culture and student-centred approaches to discipline.
Administrator and Teacher Profiles in Imam Hatip Schools: Leadership and Training
Physical Space Design and the Psychological Effects of Learning Environments
School Climate and Discipline Problems: Student-Centred Solutions
School Culture and Climate in Imam Hatip Schools
Theme 07Basic Education
Imam Hatip Middle Schools: A New Era in Basic Education and Qur’an Memorisation
The balance between academic achievement and religious education; sustainability analysis of the “Qur’an Memorisation alongside Formal Education” project.
The Balance between Academic Achievement and Religious Education in Imam Hatip Middle Schools
The “Qur’an Memorisation alongside Formal Education” Project: Implementation and Sustainability Analysis
Religious Education at an Early Age: Child Development and Pedagogical Approaches
Theme 08Higher Education
Transition to Higher Education and Continuity with Faculties of Theology
The post-“coefficient” era, graduates’ university preferences and curricular continuity with faculties of theology.
University Preferences and Career Orientations of Imam Hatip High School Graduates
Imam Hatip–Theology Integration: Continuity of Curriculum and Training
Academic Achievement in the Post-“Coefficient” Era: New Opportunities and Expectations
The Question of Alignment and Integration with Higher Religious Education
Theme 09Society & Culture
The Socio-Cultural Impact of Imam Hatip Schools: Social Responsibility, Volunteering and Community Service
Identity formation, social mobility, the “Schools of Goodness”, mosque–school integration and intellectual production.
Being an “Imam Hatip Graduate”: Identity Formation and Social Perception
Family, Community and School Relations
Imam Hatip Schools as a Means of Social Mobility and Status Attainment
Graduates’ Career Paths and Social Positions
Imam Hatip Graduates in Politics, Academia, Literature, the Arts and the Bureaucracy
Alumni–School Relations: Institutionalising a Sense of Belonging and Tracking Careers
“Schools of Goodness”: Social Responsibility Projects of Imam Hatip Students
Mosque–School Integration: New Strategies in Vocational Practice Training
Sensitivity to Local Problems: The Role of Imam Hatip Schools in Neighbourhood and Urban Culture
Imam Hatip Schools in Culture, the Arts, Thought and Intellectual Production
Theme 10Civil Society
The Civil Society–Public Sector Cooperation Model
The tradition of educational foundations, parent–school associations, the experiences of ENSAR, İlim Yayma and ÖNDER, and guidance services.
The Contribution of Parent–School Associations and Voluntary Organisations to School Management
The Foundation Tradition in Education: The Experiences of ENSAR, İLİM YAYMA and ÖNDER
The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Social Activities and Guidance Services
Theme 11Future & Vision
The Future Perspective and Vision of Imam Hatip Schools
AI-supported religious education, the Türkiye Century Education Model, quality and accreditation, the religious subject in the digital age.
Debates on Quantity and Quality
The Relationship and Balance between Enrolment Capacity and Demand
Girls in Imam Hatip Education
The Relationship between Imam Hatip High Schools and Higher Education
The Transformation of Religious Authority in the Process of Digitalisation
AI-Supported Religious Education: Opportunities and Risks
Challenges of Religious Education and Ways Forward
Quality and Accreditation in Religious Education
Local Identity in the Face of Globalisation
Training a New Generation of Vocational Subject Teachers
Imam Hatip Programmes in the Context of the Türkiye Century Education Model
Youth Subcultures and Imam Hatip Schools: The Position of the Religious Subject in the Digital World
Strengths, Risks and Strategic Recommendations
The Human Model of the Future and Institutional Vision
Local Values and Global Responsibility in the Türkiye Century Education Model
Theme 12Academic Analysis
An Analysis of Academic Studies on Imam Hatip Schools
A bibliographic survey of master’s and doctoral theses, articles, papers, books, films and documentaries.
Master’s and Doctoral Theses
Academic Articles and Papers
Books, Films and Documentaries
Paper Themes — International Symposium on Imam Hatip Schools (2026-2027) — İmam Hatip Sempozyumu
