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 essence, Ottomanism maintained that all subjects had equal legal status. Ideally, citizens would share common geographical areas, languages, cultures, and a sense of being separate from others. The fundamental structure of the millet system of religious groups remained intact, while secular institutions and policies were introduced.