Calling Alevism a religion is provocation, deputy says

Aygün filed a formal application with the parliamentary Human Rights Commission in May, requesting that a space be provided for a cemevi within the parliamentary building. Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek replied with a written response last Monday, saying his request had been denied. Çiçek added that the place of worship for Muslims is the mosque and that Alevism is a cultural treasure that emerged from within Islam.

In response to Çiçek, Aygün stated on Tuesday that “Alevism is a religion and its place of worship is the cemevi.” However, Akkiraz has argued: “Calling Alevism a religion is a great mistake and provocative. There is no difference between calling Alevism a religion and labeling Alevis blasphemous.”

She added that throughout her life she has worked for the legal recognition of cemevis, but has never wished to benefit from Alevism and that if somebody wants to create confusion in the minds of people, this should not be allowed.