A Study on The Life and Opinions of Hakki Memis Hodja, A Retired Imam of Merkez Eren Mosque in The District of Piraiz

Abstract

The number of the studies which were conducted in the field of sociology and religion- sociology on clerics who pioneered the society is remarkably low. However, primarily not only the information on the lives of such pioneer-religious officers but also an investigation on their views and comments on the organizational structure and services of The Directorate of Religious Affairs, where these pioneer-clerics worked for years, and the religious life of the district and the country in which they lived is of great importance in many respects. Such investigations will basically enable researchers to make comments, constructive criticism and proposals on/for the services of the Directorate of Religious Affairs. In addition, these studies will also lay the groundwork for sociological analyses on the religious life of a district and a country based on the personal experience and knowledge of the pioneer clerics who worked as religious officers or servants for many years. In the study, the focus is both on the life of Hakki Memish Hodja, who worked as a religious officer for about 45 years in the district of Piraziz, the Province of Giresun and pioneered with his preaches, and on his comments on the religious life in the district. The study also focuses on Hakki Hoca's opinions of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and religious life in Turkey. The research is based on hermeneutic paradigm and qualitative research method. In this context, detailed and in-depth interviews were conducted with Hakki Hodja. In order for the meanings out of the experiences and knowledge of such pioneers included in the research to be evaluated, this investigation-approach is of high importance.