Delivering a speech at the luncheon, held at the Swissôtel Ankara, Çelik stressed that the meeting was not a session of the government’s Alevi workshops but a meeting to hear the opinions of Alevi-Bektaşi religious leaders before the final workshop, at which a roadmap on the Alevi issue will be drawn up. The roadmap will include details on improvements Alevis seek and will be presented to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he added.Stating that the government has sponsored six workshops since June of last year to learn about Alevi demands and expectations, Çelik said they discussed how obstacles before Turkey’s unity can be lifted at these workshops. Recalling that the first workshop was organized on June 2, Çelik said the last workshop will begin on Jan. 28 and last for three days. A mixed group comprising some participants from all the workshops is expected to attend.
“The aim [of this luncheon] is to find out the opinions of all sides before the final workshop. After that we will make a roadmap. We will continue to meet with other groups and individuals as we have met with you [the religious leaders],” he said. Çelik also added that they expect every section of society to contribute to the government’s efforts so that all views can be incorporated into the roadmap.
Sixty-five Alevi spiritual leaders, known as dedes, were invited to the luncheon. Among the participants was Hozatlı Ahmet Dede, who in November of last year led a cem ritual at a cemevi, an Alevi house of worship, in Tunceli. The cem was attended by President Abdullah Gül and Veliyettin Ulusoy from the Çelebi branch of the Bektaşi order.
Responding to questions from the press, Hüşeyin Başar, who also attended the luncheon as the representative of Bektaşis living in Detroit and Tirana, said he sees the government’s Alevi initiative as a bit late. Stating that he believes the initiative will bring about positive outcomes, he said the opposition and the government should act together on issues affecting the public good.
