Ministry's Semah and Deyiş competition sparks controversy!

The practices of the Alevi-Bektashi Culture and Cemevi Presidency under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism continue to spark debate. The Cemevi Presidency has announced that it will organize an 'Alevi-Bektashi Deyiş, Nefes, Semah, Duaz-ı İmam, and Muharremiyye Vocal Performance Competition.'

THE AIM IS REPORTEDLY TO INCREASE INTEREST IN THE FAITH SYSTEM

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that the purpose of organizing the competition is to increase interest in the Alevi-Bektashi culture and belief system, ensure these values are recognized by a wider audience, strengthen participants' ties to Alevi-Bektashi music by developing their artistic talents, and highlight the richness and diversity of Alevi-Bektashi music to discover new and strong voices.

The conditions for participation in the competition were stated as follows:

"Turkish citizens who have reached the age of 18 and have not yet turned 50 as of the application date may participate in the competition.

Members of the Selection Committee, personnel holding managerial positions at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism related to the competition topics, staff involved in the competition, their first-degree blood relatives or relatives by marriage, and artists working at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism cannot participate in the competition."

CASH PRIZES TO BE AWARDED

It was announced that in the 'Alevi-Bektashi Deyiş, Nefes, Semah, Duaz-ı İmam, and Muharremiyye Vocal Performance Competition,' the first-place winner will receive 50,000 TL, the second-place winner 35,000 TL, the third-place winner 25,000 TL, the jury special award will be 20,000 TL, and three honorable mention awards of 15,000 TL each will be given.

"PUT AN END TO THIS FARCE"

Reacting to the competition to be organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, CHP Ankara Deputy Umut Akdoğan stated that placing words like deyiş, nefes, semah, and Duaz-ı İmam alongside money is an act of ignorance. In his statement to Sözcü, Akdoğan used the following expressions:

"We have always said that this Alevi and Bektashi Culture and Cemevi Presidency is an assimilation center; look, we have seen it once again. Do you think this is entertainment, Mr. Minister? Put an end to this farce. Deyiş are the path of the Alevis. Semah is the worship of the Alevis. Alevis cleanse and purify their souls with prayers. How can you dare to hurt these people, who have not harmed even an ant despite all the injustices they have faced throughout history?"

"Do you think you will deceive the Alevis, who say 'Let the whole world be yours, a friend and a rug are enough for me,' with competitions you organize for money? There is no such thing as someone who recites deyiş or prayers well or poorly. There is no such thing as someone who plays the bağlama well or poorly. There is no such thing as someone who performs the semah well or poorly. The measure of these lies within the inner world of the Alevis. A deyiş recited by a kind-hearted person with the worst voice in the world touches the human soul, while a deyiş that a malicious person thinks they are reciting with the most beautiful voice in the world cannot even enter the ears."

"A person whose legs do not hold or whose arms do not lift can perform the semah, but a person who is physically healthy but has not cleansed their soul cannot perform that semah. You do not know these things, and you are attempting things you do not know. End this disgrace called a competition. Close down this freak institution called the Cemevi Presidency as well. Close it so that no one dares to attempt such insolent acts again. Do not attempt things that are not your right or within your limits," he said.