While the Turkish government is among those at the forefront of condemning Syria's brutal crackdown on dissent, the country's large Alawite minority, known as Alevis in Turkey, has a different perspective.

At a meeting of Alevis in central Istanbul, Ali Kenanoglu, speaks about the situation in Syria and criticizes the Turkish prime minister's strong support for the Syrian opposition.

Kenanoglu is the head of the Hubyar Sultan Alevi cultural society in Istanbul. He says the prime minister's support may play well among the mainly Sunni supporters of the ruling AK party, but it is creating growing unease among Alevis in Turkey.

He says the attitude of the prime minister and government is really worrying many Alevis. He says the Syrian opposition is not about democracy. Kenanoglu says some of the groups fighting the Syrian government invoke fears among Alevis of persecution they suffered in the past from Sunni leaders.  

Last month, Turkish Alevis rallied close to the Syrian border in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. That was a step too far for most Alevis in Turkey, says Kamil Aykanat, head of the Haci Bektas Culture Foundation, another Alevi group based in Istanbul.

But Aykanat says while there are some religious and cultural differences between Syrian Alawites and their Turkish cousins, they share a common identity.

He says his people are Anatolian Alevis and those in Syria are Arab Alevis. But he says wherever you go in the world, if you use the word Alevi or Alawite, you are connected by a brotherhood.

There are no official figures for the Alevi population in Turkey, as their religious beliefs are not recognized by the state. But it is believed that they make up as much as a quarter of the Turkish population.

Many Turkish Alevis are deeply suspicious of the Sunni roots of the ruling AK party, according to political commentator Soli Ozel of the Turkish Newspaper Haberturk. He says those suspicions are getting worse with the government increasingly perceived by Alevis to be taking a pro-Sunni stance towards Syria.

"In a region where the lines and swords are drawn along sectarian lines, I really don't know how Turkey can actually keep itself above the fray. And what kind of impact this might have on Turkey's own Sunni Alevi divide remains to be seen. But that creates some tension in my view," Ozel said.

Alevis do not pray in mosques, and men and women worship together. They are viewed with suspicion, if not outright hostility, by many in Turkey's Sunni majority.

Turkish Alevis have been the victims of persecution and widespread killings. The most recent, in 1993, took place when dozens of Alevis attending a cultural festival died when their hotel was set on fire by a pro-Islamic mob.

Culture foundation head Aykanat says there is growing concern that if the current crisis in Syria descends into a Sunni-Alawite conflict, it may spill over into Turkey.

But he says Alevis in Turkey will be organized and have solidarity if their situation deteriorates. He says they are aware of what happened to their ancestors in the past.  

At an Istanbul Alevi place of worship, there is unease about the events in Syria. One man says, however, he is confident Sunnis and Alevis share a common Turkish identity that transcends their differences.   

He says if it becomes a Sunni-Alawite confrontation in Syria, then he would be very worried, as it could come to Turkey. But he says Turkish people have changed, and there is more common sense between Sunnis and Alevis, so he hopes it will not come to that.

But with the Turkish media broadcasting horrific pictures out of Syria, and with many channels describing the violence in sectarian terms, there are fears that tensions from the Syrian crisis could rise in Turkey.

Source..http://www.voanews.com/content/turkeys-alawite-community-worried-about-syria-conflict-142836405/180502.html

Syrian Alawites called "Nusayri" in Turkey and almost nothing in common with Anatolian Alevis. in Turkey there are Nusayris only in Hatay provinces.

"There are no official figures for the Alevi population in Turkey, as their religious beliefs are not recognized by the state. But it is believed that they make up as much as a quarter of the Turkish population. "


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OMG.. if the Alawites make up a 25% of the "Turkish" population.. and the Kurds make up 25% of the population..

...how many Turks are there?

...don't try and confuse the two Khun.. The Arab Alawites are separate and smaller in numbers than the "Turkish" ones..

Attention Khun..

"First, there are two Alawite groups in Turkey: the first group is of Arab origin who live in Hatay, the southernmost province of Turkey, and are intimately connected to the Assad regime in Syria. There is no question that the Arab Alawites are strongly committed to the Assad regime and by all means against any Turkish intervention in the Syrian crisis. But, the question is, does Erdogan care less about them? I do not think so. The Arab Alawites do not constitute a sizable majority in Turkey and do not occupy critical positions in the Turkish state.

The other group is of Turkish origin. The Turkish Alawites mostly live in the Eastern part of Turkey and in big cities, like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. No one really knows their size, but everybody agrees that they are not a non-negligible size. Furthermore, a small but influential segment occupies critical positions in the Turkish military and judiciary. Can Erdogan have this Alawite in mind? "

Source..http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2012/04/29/211023.html

...don't try and confuse the two Khun.. The Arab Alawites are separate and smaller in numbers than the "Turkish" ones..
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thats what I said, in Turkey there are around 100k alawites in Hatay provinces. Anatolian Alevi belief based on Central Asian sects and than Haci Bektas Veli and completely different than arabs.

OMG.. if the Alawites make up a 25% of the "Turkish" population.. and the Kurds make up 25% of the population..
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you confused again, alevis are mostly ethnic Turks. there is a small portion of kurdish alevis too .

"But he says Alevis in Turkey will be organized and have solidarity if their situation deteriorates. He says they are aware of what happened to their ancestors in the past."

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Wanna explain why these "Turkish" Alawites feel threatened by the sunni Turks then?

"Syrian Alawites called "Nusayri" in Turkey and almost nothing in common with Anatolian Alevis. in Turkey there are Nusayris only in Hatay provinces. "

x2.

completely different and no connection ...

basically it is sectarian conflict and sectarian intolerance.

Don't worry Turkish scum, I am sure you can explain logically to all the Sunni fundamentalists educated in imam-hatip schools, in addition to the "visitors" from other Islamic lands, how you are not "Alawis", lol. I am glad they won't understand, because karma is a b1tch and so are Turkish trash.

Sig:
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Why is vaseline in my sig? Because Turks don't want to read what I post. Hopefully the lube makes it easier for those criminal scum who are such great cry-babies to swallow.

"basically it is sectarian conflict and sectarian intolerance. "

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So basically.. what your saying Khun.. Is that the potential for the Alawites to ask for cultural rights might Leed to autonomy in the future..

...half the population of Turkey isn't even represented properly in parliament.. no wonder Turkey is sh!t scared about Syria and Iraq.. Turkey is a smorgasbord of different ethnicities..

So basically.. what your saying Khun.. Is that the potential for the Alawites to ask for cultural rights might Leed to autonomy in the future..
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first of all : the terminology , it is not Alawites but Alevis. Alawites are syrian arabs.
second, none of alevis are seeking autonomy, they are ethnic turks. Surely they would struggle for rights like everywhere around the world, groups with commonalty get organized and seek rights and recognition, it is the nature of democracy.

...half the population of Turkey isn't even represented properly in parliament..
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There are a lot of Alevi deputies in the parliament , mostly under left wing parties. Alevism based on sufism and mostly spiritual and humanist, it is not as politicized as sunni belief. So alevi voters do not vote based on belief.

So even though you are digging hard, you can not get any conflict from this issue Alevis are mostly leftist and secular Turks and do not give a chlt to any anti-turk sentiment.

Thankfully there is no nature of democracy in Turkey. A biggoted Sunni party like ArabKP will make sure Turkish Alevis are their b1tch.

Sig:
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Why is vaseline in my sig? Because Turks don't want to read what I post. Hopefully the lube makes it easier for those criminal scum who are such great cry-babies to swallow.

Should someone say that Sunnis in Turkey are the voting base for Erdo's AKP while Alevis are mostly Secular Kemalists?

Should someone say that Sunnis in Turkey are the voting base for Erdo's AKP while Alevis are mostly Secular Kemalists?
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Better to say, alevis are a part of secular kemalist voters and almost all akp voters are sunni.

...OK.. so there might not be a violent struggle for Alevi rights going on right now like those of the Kurds.. BUT surely, you can see the future potential of a internal uprising.. especially since Erdogans bias for sunni dogma.. TELL ME Khun.. how many new 'cemevis' are built compared to new mosques?

Erdogan and the AKP are trying to assimulate the Alevis and force them to become sunni's..


"'Leaders of the Alevi community respond to government officials who have claimed that Alevi worship in mosques as Muslims. Some community members say they are being forced to deny their beliefs by the AKP"
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/alevis-fire-at-government-in-ongoing-cemevi-quarrel.aspx?pageID=238&nID=2

...if the Alevi's get half a chance at autonomy.. they'll grab it and not look back.. that's a fact..

They are persecuted and denyied their religious rights..

...if the current situation continues in Turkey.. religious and cultural segregation is the only way to guarantee equal rights.. for if not.. then it won't be long before we see the Kurds and Alevites joining forces and votes for a different Turkey..

...now wouldn't that be nice..

...if the current situation continues in Turkey.. religious and cultural segregation is the only way to guarantee equal rights.. for if not.. then it won't be long before we see the Kurds and Alevites joining forces and votes for a different Turkey..
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not likely, alevis are republican people and put unity and integrity in front of everything.
On the other hand, most kurds are sunni and vote for akp,
Those who sided with pkk are mostly kurdish alevis (or alevized kurds) who are a minority even for kurds. That's why pro-pkk party gets only %4-5 of votes while kurdish population is way larger.

Alevism is a religion not a ethnic group. 75% of alevis are turkish and 25% are kurdish. Of those that are kurds there the most 'modern' ones in turkey. Nearly all of them vote for CHP and are staunch kemalists.

Alawites do not have to fear among Turkey,why?Because they are spread all across to Turkey,mostly in West and middle anatolia.There many officers,bureaucrats and p.m. of Alawite origin in Turkey.They are totaly Turkified and do not seek any separation outside Turkey.Most of them,90 percent are Turks and voting to all parties,10 percent is Zaza,not kurds. Zazas have number proximietly 2-2,5 million in Turkey and nearly all of them,including Tunceli Alawite Zazas are anti-bdp,voting for CHP instead.
In Turkey,Nusayris are only live in Hatay Province,where Esads are origin of! There are also many sunni Arabs in Turkey where most live in Mardin,Şırnak,Urfa,Hatay and Siirt.

Alevis do not pray in mosques, and men and women worship together. They are viewed with suspicion, if not outright hostility, by many in Turkey's Sunni majority.

Buahahah.

Better to say, alevis are a part of secular kemalist voters and almost all akp voters are sunni.

Like yourself right? I hope to see you lifeless hanging from a tree one day.



Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland!

Like yourself right?
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I am not alevi idiot

I hope to see you lifeless hanging from a tree one day
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why don't you try it yrself azzhole ?

LOL This forum is full of "intellectuals" who proudly say "Thankfully there's no democracy" or "hopefully Turkey will fall into violence, people get killed and civil war erupt" and so on. How do you call yourselves human in the first place?

First of all, Alewis are mostly Turkish and the Kurdish Alewis are the modern ones. Alewi people are tolerant, secular, republican, Kemalist; they drink, party, do all the kinds of stuff you can see in Western societies. And our proudly citizens of our country. I wish there were more of them in the first place instead of those Islamists.

@Varangian How do you call yourself a Turkish "expert" when you think Alewis are like a different ethnic group?

Varangian is an armenian traitor whose grandparents survived from our hands!Damn,we should have gotten them all!Anyway,Turkey has no Alewite problem,we are democratic and systematic country not a banana republic like greece or Syria.

Varangian,you should worry about armenian women who forced to prostution like kardashians!

Azzfinder,TheGoon lol. Bunch of Alevi bastards. I don't have to do sh!t...weren't the originall grey wolve islamists ( Who have always funded Islamists in afghanistan/chechnya) the ones who lynched infidel alawites in the past? I don't need to do sh!t. Tide of the wave happens naturally by god,mother nature,everything.



Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland!

If alevis bastards and the PKK kurd scum are really quarter of turkish population my sunni brothers I would be careful. Before you know it they will pull a yugoslavia on you and declare independance,or steal chunks of your land. The traditional turkish sunni grey wolves need to rise...all these infidels are confusing and are climbing the ladder. Get rid of them,before they get rid of you.



Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland!

Mustipusti..

"Varangian is an armenian traitor whose grandparents survived from our hands!Damn,we should have gotten them all!Anyway,Turkey has no Alewite problem,we are democratic and systematic country not a banana republic like greece or Syria."

LOL, I'm Greek you Christian convert.. but, i must admit i find it amussing that you think I'm an Armo and "regret" that i got away.. Mate am i giving you Turko's too many headache's.. sucksh!t!! LOL

...say what you want MustiPusti.. your nation.. Turkey is a collection of converts of the sword.. and soon it will colapse and Turkey will be devided into little bits.. and the only thing you can do.. is decide in which little bit you wanna live in...lol 

"Varangian,you should worry about armenian women who forced to prostution like kardashians!"

Kim's hot you fag.. whats wrong with you?

...i got a hard on just thinking what I'd like to do with that body.. Ohhh.. that arse.. I'm SO hungry!!

 

...here you go MustiPusti.. this one's more your style..

LOL LOL LOL..

"First of all, Alewis are mostly Turkish and the Kurdish Alewis are the modern ones. Alewi people are tolerant, secular, republican, Kemalist; they drink, party, do all the kinds of stuff you can see in Western societies. And our proudly citizens of our country. I wish there were more of them in the first place instead of those Islamists."

...actually Pathfinder.. they are a religious minority that have been persecuted in Turkey by the Ottoman sultans and NOW the new Sultan, Erdogan.. i never said, they were a different ethnic group, ONLY a different Religious group.. so don't confuse the two..

Turkey is a fractured nation with MANY such groups and ethnicity's.. Of course if you is wanna pursue this further.. then look at Syria that's ready to fall apart.. there all Arabs, right! Only some are Sunni others are Alevi's and some are Kurds.. same in Iraq.. You still think Turkey different? LOL  

I don't have to do sh!t...weren't the originall grey wolve islamists ( Who have always funded Islamists in afghanistan/chechnya) the ones who lynched infidel alawites in the past? I don't need to do sh!t. Tide of the wave happens naturally by god,mother nature,everything.
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it was 30 years ago dumbazz, now it is proven that alevis are pure turkic people and there are a lot of alevi grey wolves now.

Wanna try this guy ?


than he will blow your azz up

Re WertGR,
Should someone say that Sunnis in Turkey are the voting base for Erdo's AKP while Alevis are mostly Secular Kemalists?

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I see Alevism and Sunnism is not really known by Greeks, it's best comparable to Katholism and Protestantism there are small differences but both are just Islamic branches.

I myself am Sunni and hardcore Kemalist, I have many Alevi friends as well and it just depends on the person (and not his believe) some are hardcore Kemalist like me and some are not Kemalist at all. Kemalism is not bount to a certain branch, I would say Kemalists are evenly represented by Sunni's and Alevi's. The only thing today is that people who are anti-AKP are directly branded as Kemalist, a common misunderstanding.

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Turkiye Turklerindir (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk)

What a load of sh!t.. Nutuk..

The Alevi's constitute 25% of the Turkish population.. they are followers of the Shia branch of Islam.. From my understanding they are mostly from Turkmen decent.. In other words, the closest you come to "real" Turks.. and NOT like you fake Sunni converts..

They live mostly in central and eastern Turkey.. And see themselves as distinct from the Arabized Turkish Sunni's.. They are closer to Iran in sympathy than the Arabized Turks are to the Arabs..

Saying that they are loyal to the Turkish state is disingenuous to say the least.. Since they have been  percercuted by the Ottomans and the Republicans.. In fact even the AKP has stymied their religion refusing to provide state funds for their places of worship instead, building Sunni Mosques in their regions

Look at Iraq.. The Arabs are divided among the Shia and Sunni, and each is autonomous to a large degree.. Given half the chance, the Alevi's of Turkey would gladly replicate this.. in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they soon ask for their own party to combat aganist the dominate and imposing Sunni TurkArabs..

How cute! An Alevi charles manson. His azz would look good hanging from a tree.



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