The Alevism test

Ekrem Dumanli

The issue of Alevism is a tough and challenging test for everyone. No one can escape this test, including Alevis, Sunnis, leftists, rightists, secularists, anti-secularists, the supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the proponents of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), etc. This is because it is not restricted to the demands of one specific faith community.

The type of approach to the issue of Alevism is like a litmus test for the attitude adopted in the face of social demands. This test reveals the mission attributed to the state as well as to civil society. It distinguishes who the true democrats and liberals are and who the fascists and abusers are.

First of all, we need to acknowledge and respect the Alevi reality. Alevis have long been an indispensable component of this country and they are certainly equal to other citizens. Like any other individual, they are first-class citizens of this country. A person who does not accept this fact is not entitled to talk about Alevism or Sunnism. It is a grave error and a scandalous sin to treat this community that is one of the main components of this country as a group of second-class citizens and to see granting them their natural rights as a favor -- and the same applies to ethnic groups as well.

A joint mosque-cemevi complex project, the construction of which recently began, has brought to the surface a number of facts. It has come to test people's intentions. Who is confused about the Alevi-Sunni issue? Who is in favor of restoring fraternal relations between the communities? Who is against it? Who wants this issue to linger on? Who is seeking to create chaos out of problems between the communities?

I must note that the majority of the public and intellectuals agree that this project is very reasonable and logical. It's a pity for those who fail to notice the emerging signs of a new source of chaos breeding on sectarianism in Turkey! Those who cannot see the impact of the Syrian crisis on Turkey are unable to understand how the seeds of sectarianism were sown during the Gezi Park protests. Certain bloodthirsty organizations are currently busy conducting operations to incite and provoke Alevis to protests -- just as was done in the run-up to the 1980 coup. As you might recall, a few months ago, crosses had been affixed to the houses of Alevis and this enraged many people. It was later found out that it was the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) which was responsible. This organization is infamous for abusing Alevism. As the DHKP/C organizes funeral ceremonies at cemevis for its leaders and members who died during the organization's terrorist attacks, Alevis are not only troubled by it but are also left in a tight situation.

When Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen suggested that a complex featuring both a mosque and a cemevi with a shared courtyard be built, İzzettin Doğan, the head of the CEM Foundation, lent support to the project. Then, the proposal was also backed by Alevi and Sunni businessmen. The collective conscience in the country gave heartfelt support to this magnificent project. Yet, some groups have also put a damper on the project. It is thought-provoking to see certain people from both camps seeking to further their interests by resorting to similar acts of acrimony.

They focus on trivial matters. "Sunnis will assimilate Alevis," some claim. This is unbelievable. In the past, they would complain about Sunnis' reluctance in supporting the construction of cemevis; today, they say, "We don't want anything from Sunnis." When you listen to these roughneck people who are unhappy with the project, you come to believe as though all cemevis and mosques will be built jointly. Is that true? No, as there are currently about 1,000 cemevis in the country. And all of these cemevis and all mosques are already separate. The project in question just symbolizes an exemplary case of brotherhood and its indispensability. Moreover, there were similar projects in the past.

Some spout funnier objections. "Why isn't this project built in a Sunni-dominated district, but in an Alevi-dominated neighborhood?" they ask. Isn't this a pure contradiction for those people who complain about being assimilated by Sunnis to suggest that the cemevi be constructed in a Sunni-populated neighborhood? Moreover, another joint mosque-cemevi project may be planned in a Sunni-dominated district. What will they say then?

There are also militant sectarianists. These are actually the people who don't nurture any respect for any faith, but pretend to be practitioners of a specific faith. For instance, a deputy may resort to violence. Why does a person who spoke highly of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members who had abducted him go crazy when seeing efforts to boost mutual understanding between the practitioners of different faiths?

It is grave error to build walls around Alevism, thereby making Alevi youths susceptible to deception by illegal organizations. Those Sunnis who refuse to grant Alevis their natural and democratic rights are sharing in this error. This is shameful. We must embrace both Yunus Emre and Hacı Bektaş in order to establish unity and prosperity in the country. Those who conceal their true intentions cannot understand the sincere efforts invested to promote Alevi-Sunni brotherhood. Even if they understand them, they will still turn to suicide bombers for help. Yet the tragic incidents of the past have taught us that this land will not approve of those who seek to sow seeds of hatred and rage.

Published on Sunday's Zaman, 15 September 2013, Sunday