New legislative proposal from CHP: Is another religious holiday on the way?

Republican People's Party (CHP) Bursa Deputy Orhan Sarıbal has submitted a legislative proposal to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to declare the Day of Ashura, known as the 13th day of the month of Muharram and holding great significance for the Alevi community, a religious holiday.

In the proposal submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament, Sarıbal requested an amendment to the Law on National Holidays and General Vacations. The justification for the proposal detailed the deep meaning and historical background of the Day of Ashura in the Alevi faith.

Reminding that the massacre of Imam Hussein and his 72 companions in Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 of the Hijri calendar (October 10, 680 AD) holds a central place in the Alevi faith, Sarıbal stated that Alevis spend the first 12 days of Muharram in fasting and mourning, while the 13th day is a special day when ashura is cooked and distributed, sacrifices are made, and elders are visited.

"IT MUST BE RECOGNIZED IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE"

In his justification, Sarıbal included the following statements:

"To date, no regulations have been made to ensure that our Alevi citizens can freely and comfortably perform their religious rituals in the public sphere. Their holy days have not been recognized within a calendar and legal framework. This regulation is directly related to the Constitution's principles of freedom of belief and equality."

News Source: 12punto