This study aims to examine the religious perception, sectarian identity,
and attitudes toward the Sunni tradition among the Ja‘fari community
from a psycho-social perspective. The research addresses the historical,
sociological, and psychological foundations of the processes of religiosization,
sectarianization, and moralization, and analyzes how Ja‘faris
living in Turkey construct their religious identities, including subconscious
transmissions and patterns of social interaction. Within the conceptual
framework, the historical development of the sectarian phenomenon,
the differing interpretive traditions of Sunni and Shi‘i thought,
the emergence of Shi‘ism, the doctrine of imamate, and the fundamental
characteristics of Ja‘fari jurisprudence are evaluated. The study also
highlights the epistemological and ontological roots of inter-sectarian
tensions, emphasizing the determining role of psycho-social factors in
individuals’ processes of religious affiliation and identity formation.
A qualitative methodology was employed, and data were collected through
semi-structured interviews conducted with Ja‘fari participants.
The findings reveal that the religious perceptions of Ja‘faris are strongly
shaped by the doctrine of imamate and that their sectarian identities
are reinforced by historical traumas, collective memory, and symbolic
values. Participants generally expressed respectful yet distant attitudes
toward the Sunni tradition, with notable differences observed in areas
such as intermarriage, perceptions of certain companions, and ritual
practices.
This study demonstrates that sectarian identities are not merely theological
distinctions but rather multifaceted structures shaped by individuals’
psychological needs, social belonging, historical memory, and cultural
context. In this regard, the research offers an original contribution
to the literature by examining the Ja‘fari community in Turkey through
both sociological and psychological dimensions.
Keywords: Religious Perception; Sectarian Identity; Inter-Sectarian Relations;
Moralization Ja‘faris