In an interview with journalists on Friday, Yazıcıoğlu replied to criticism directed at the reform initiative on the status of Alevis, noting: "The AK Party has not offered a reform initiative on the status of Alevi citizens out of a fear of losing the Alevi vote and does not intend to convert Alevis. The government is searching for a solution to an existing problem." Stating that the steps taken so far to meet the needs of the Alevi community have not satisfied Alevis, Yazıcıoğlu added: "Everyone has to fulfill the task that falls on their shoulders to resolve the problems of the Alevi community. If there is a problem, then the government is responsible for taking the steps necessary to resolve it."The ruling AK Party reform initiative on the status of Alevis suggests recognition of Alevi clerics as official civil servants within the existing state unit dedicated to religious affairs, including dedes (Alevi religious leaders) on the state payroll and granting the Alevis' cemevi the status of "place of worship" under the roof of the Religious Affairs Directorate. Yazıcıoğlu recalled that private universities do not have faculties of theology, adding: "I believe that the establishment of faculties of theology at private universities will serve the purpose of informing all segments of the society of religion. We need to provide all citizens with correct information about religion. In this sense, artists and scientists need precise information with regard to religion. If you offer correct religious information to every citizen in the society, then you may overcome divergence of opinion more easily."
Recalling that the Alevi community has failed to maintain internal unity, Yazıcıoğlu noted that the government should prepare a peaceful atmosphere for Alevis. "Once I said that we need to tailor a new suit for Alevis, however some circles understood me incorrectly. They thought that the government intends to convert the Alevi community. I meant that we need to prepare a peaceful atmosphere for Alevi citizens which may meet their needs. As the government, we do not have any intention of influencing the beliefs of anyone. We want all citizens to live in peace with their own opinions and beliefs," he said.
