In other words, Ottomanism held that all subjects were equal before the law. Ideally, all citizens would share a geographical area, a language, culture, and a sense of a "non-Ottoman" party who were different from them. The essence of the millet system of confessional groupings was not dismantled, but secular organizations and policies were applied.
In other words, Ottomanism asserted that all subjects had equal legal rights. Ideally, citizens would share common geographical areas, languages, cultures, and a sense of being separate from others. The core of the millet system of religious groups remained unchanged, but secular organizations and policies were implemented.