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| Labor Minister Faruk Çelik and the head of the CEM Foundation İzzettin Doğan are seen during the Groundbreaking ceremony of mosque-cemevi project.(Photo: Cihan) |
Minister Çelik described the event as historic in terms of the brotherhood and unity of the Turkish people. Talking about the tradition of tolerance in Islam, Çelik said that as human beings, people do not have the right to limit the freedoms that are granted by God to everyone.
Minister Çelik pressed the button which started the construction of the project with Doğan. The two released white doves symbolizing peace during the groundbreaking ceremony. The project aims to strengthen the ties between the Alevi and Sunni communities in Turkey in the face of efforts to ignite sectarian tension in the Middle East.
Talking about the background of the project, which he calls the project revolutionary, Doğan said that when Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen first suggested the idea of a joint mosque and cemevi project, they welcomed it. In addition, Doğan suggested the construction of a soup kitchen in the same complex, which was accepted by Gülen. According to Doğan, as soon as they agreed on the project, they began to look for an appropriate location for it. The project is being financed by businessmen both from the Alevi and Sunni communities and is being conducted by CEM Foundation and the Hacı Bektaş Veli Culture, Education, Health and Research Foundation.
According to Doğan, this project will set an example for other countries that suffer from sectarian divides in the region. He argued that certain groups in the Middle East want an Alevi-Sunni divide to be imported to Turkey. “We aim to develop the consciousness that Alevis and Sunnis are the subjects of the same God,” Doğan further added.
Doğan had said last week that he has no concern about the conversion of Alevis to Sunni Islam or the other way around. He added that he believes such a project will help eradicate prejudices between the two communities.
Stating that there are over 100,000 mosques in Turkey, Doğan said that he has been thinking that the function of the mosques should adapt to the conditions of a new era. For Doğan, the project will help Alevis and Sunnis understand each other better.
Gülen is a Turkish Islamic scholar well known for his teachings promoting mutual understanding and tolerance between cultures. He has pioneered educational activities in a number of countries, along with efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the world.
The project, which is the first of its kind in modern Turkish history, is expected to be completed in a year and opened in the holy month of Alevis according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
The complex will include a conference hall for 350 people, a reading hall for children from disadvantaged families, lounges and guest rooms in addition to a soup kitchen which will be able to accommodate 350 people. There will also be rooms allocated for imams and Alevi religious leaders, called “dedes” and “zakirs,” to rest in. Both Sunnis and Alevis will be able to receive funeral services including the washing of the deceased in accordance with Islamic rules. The complex will also have a mortuary serving both Alevis and Sunnis.
It will be located in the Tuzluçayır neighborhood of Mamak. The Mamak Municipality will also support the construction of the complex. The project will be built in a 12,000-square-meter area which includes a 5,000-square-meter park.
Protesters dispersed by the police
Meanwhile, prior to the ceremony, the police intervened in the protest of some groups who threw stones at the CEM Foundation's bus. The protesters formed a barricade in the Tuzluçayır Square of Mamak and did not remove it despite the police warning. Consequently, the police dispersed the crowd with water cannons. The riot police sprayed pepper gas at the group which refused to remove the barricade.
Published on Sunday's Zaman, 08 September 2013, Sunday
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