Village head has call to prayer recited in Cemevi in Çorum: Investigation launched

Following a collapse in the roof of the mosque in the village of Tarhan in Çorum, the Village Council of Elders decided to close the mosque for worship during the repair period. During this time, the central audio broadcasting system on the mosque roof was moved to the local Cemevi.

HARSH REACTION FROM ALEVI ORGANIZATIONS

According to a report by Elvan Yılmaz from T24, the recitation of the call to prayer from the Cemevi loudspeakers caused a reaction from Alevi-Bektashi organizations. The Alevi Bektashi Federation, the Confederation of European Alevi Unions, the Alevi Cultural Associations, the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Associations, and the Alevi Federation of Turkey issued a joint written statement, characterizing the situation as an "imposition of faith."

The statement included the following remarks: "Having the call to prayer recited from the Cemevi loudspeakers is forcing the space of the Alevi faith to serve the ritual of another faith. This is not freedom of belief; it is a conscious attempt at assimilation."

"WE REJECT THIS ATTACK"

The organizations emphasized that Alevis have struggled for centuries to protect their own faith, calling out: "We have not interfered with anyone else's worship. But we will not remain silent against hands reaching out to our faith, our place of worship, and our sacred values. We reject this attack on our Cemevi. The decision must be reversed immediately."

INVESTIGATION DECISION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

The Çorum Governor's Office issued a written statement after the issue became a topic of discussion on social media. The statement noted that it was determined the mosque's audio system had been moved to the Cemevi during the repair period, but that upon learning of the situation, instructions were given to remove the loudspeaker from the Cemevi and mount it in an appropriate location.