Frederic P Miller

Alevi Frederic P Miller

Publisher Marketing: High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Alevi are a religious, sub-ethnic and cultural community in Turkey, numbering in the tens of millions (see 'Demographics' below). Alevism is considered one of the many branches of Shia Islam. However, Alevi worship takes place in assembly houses (cemevi) rather than mosques. The ceremony ([yn-i cem, or simply cem), features music and dance (semah). The Alevi liturgical language is Turkish, as opposed to Sunni and Twelver Shia use of Arabic. They thus see themselves as the "real Turks," maintainers of true Turkish culture, religion and folklore in face of the Arabizing Ottoman Sunnis. Key Alevi characteristics include: Love and respect for all people ("The important thing is not religion, but being a human being") Tolerance towards other religions and ethnic groups ("If you hurt another person, the ritual prayers you have done are counted as worthless") Respect for working people ("The greatest act of worship is to work") Equality of men and women, who pray side by side. Monogamy is practiced. Alevism is also closely related to the Bektashi Sufi lineage, in the sense that both venerate Hajji Bektash Wali (Turkish: Hacibekta Veli), a saint of the 13th century. Many Alevis refer to an "Alevi-Bektashi" tradition, but this identity is not universally accepted, nor is the combined name used by non-Turkish Bektashis (e.g., in the Balkans). In addition to its religious aspect, Alevism is also closely associated with Anatolian folk culture. Modern Alevi theology has been profoundly influenced by humanism and universalism. The 1990's brought a new emphasis on Alevism as a cultural identity. Alevi communities today generally support secularism in the form of the Kemalist model.