PhD · Leiden University · 28 November 2018

A Wednesday in Leiden: the doctoral defence

On Wednesday 28 November 2018, at 13:45, Ömer Faruk Gürlesin defended the dissertation Elite and Popular Religiosity among Dutch-Turkish Muslims in the Netherlands in the Academiegebouw of Leiden University. A short record of that afternoon, in ten photographs.

Background: members of the doctorate committee, Academiegebouw, Leiden, 28 November 2018.

The afternoon

The thesis brought together fieldwork among Dutch-Turkish Muslim communities, begun in 2010, and a survey of 1,165 respondents. It asked how ‘elite’ and ‘popular’ forms of religiosity shape belief, ritual and attitudes towards others.

As Leiden custom requires, the candidate appeared in white tie, accompanied by two paranymphs, Selim Ceyhan and Ahmed Bingöl. The questioning took place at the committee table, beneath the portraits of earlier generations of Leiden professors, and ended when the pedel entered with the words Hora est. After a short deliberation the committee returned, the doctorate was conferred and the diploma handed over.

Later that afternoon came one more Leiden tradition: a signature on the wall of the Zweetkamertje, the small ‘sweat room’ where candidates wait before the ceremony and where generations of new doctors have left their names.

The thesis is dedicated to the memory of Meerten ter Borg (1946–2017).

In photographs

Ömer Faruk Gürlesin with his two paranymphs in white tie, Academiegebouw, Leiden — 14:32With the paranymphs Selim Ceyhan and Ahmed Bingöl, beneath the portraits of Leiden professors.

The candidate and paranymphs seated at the committee table with the thesis and a bell — 14:35At the committee table, the bound thesis in front, awaiting the committee’s return.

The doctoral diploma being handed over across the committee table — 14:39The diploma is handed over.

Committee members in academic dress seated beneath a gilded chimneypiece and portraits — 14:41Members of the committee beneath the gilded chimneypiece.

The pedel in a black gown holding the staff, in front of a wall of portraits — 14:44The pedel, who keeps the time of every Leiden defence.

Members of the committee in academic dress talking with guests at the reception — 15:00At the reception, in conversation with members of the committee.

In conversation with a professor in academic dress and a guest after the ceremony — 15:06In conversation after the ceremony.

Signing the wall of the Zweetkamertje from a ladder — A signature on the wall of the Zweetkamertje.

Ömer Faruk Gürlesin in white tie after the ceremony — After the ceremony.

With his wife and two children, the diploma in its tube — 15:40With family, the diploma in hand.