Dervişoğlu speaks in Tunceli: The cemevi issue must reach a deep-rooted resolution

İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu attended the Twelve Imams Sacrifice and Ashura Lokma Program, organized by the Türkmen Alevi Ocakları Union at the Tunceli Cemevi in Tunceli.

During the program, a moment of silence was observed for the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the Twelve Imams, followed by the national anthem. In his speech, Dervişoğlu drew attention to the historical and spiritual significance of Tunceli in terms of the Alevi-Bektashi faith.

Describing Tunceli as the "heart of the Alevi-Bektashi faith," Dervişoğlu emphasized the traces of the Khorasan Erenler and the ocaks (hearths) in Anatolia. Stating that "all the ocaks in Anatolia and the Balkans have a connection to Tunceli," Dervişoğlu expressed that the city is a "sacred geography of a great journey of heart and civilization."

Dervişoğlu stated that they are well aware of the problems faced by the ocaks and cemevis, and that the debates regarding cemevis must be brought to a permanent resolution.

Dervişoğlu also expressed that the Presidency of Religious Affairs should "coordinate religious affairs with the same spirit and faith." Stating that he does not want to view the subject as a matter of politics, Dervişoğlu said, "This issue is not a political issue. It is a spiritual issue."

In his speech, which also conveyed a message of unity and solidarity, Dervişoğlu referred to the tragedies of the recent past and commemorated those who lost their lives in Sivas and Başbağlar. "We are the ones who were burned in Sivas, and we are the ones who were shot in Başbağlar," said Dervişoğlu, arguing that there are attempts to create tension in society through faiths, ideas, and cities.

Pointing to Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli's understanding of tolerance and the Republic's idea of living together, Dervişoğlu used the expressions, "The Republic is to be 'us'. The Republic is to be one, to be great, to be alive."

Ali Coşkun, Chairman of the Türkmen Alevi Ocakları Union Culture, Education and Health Foundation, and Ali Ekber Yurt, President of the Tunceli Hacı Bektaş Veli Culture Promotion and Solidarity Association, also spoke at the program. Ali Coşkun announced that Dervişoğlu had been elected as Honorary Chairman and pinned a badge on his lapel.

During the event, a semah was performed and lokma was distributed to the participants.