The values of the Alevi-Bektashi community are being disregarded: Construction at the Gözcü Baba Tomb

While the initial superficial excavations around the Gözcü Baba Tomb were described as landscaping and preliminary archaeological digs, it is noteworthy that the use of the land, which belongs to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Foundations, has been granted to the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).

The area, which was leased two years ago from the General Directorate of Foundations for a 10-year period on behalf of the Diyanet Foundation, was first transferred to TÜGVA, which then contracted with the Özyılmazlar Construction company for a project involving 300 apartments and a Quran course. The plans for the project in question are as follows:

In the project, which has faced significant backlash from the Alevi-Bektashi community, the bulldozers that entered the Gözcü Baba Tomb site appear to have been withdrawn for now. While the destruction caused around the tomb is remarkably severe, what has been done to the Gözcü Baba Tomb, which belongs to the 700-year-old Şah Sultan Dervish Lodge, is described by the Bektashi community as an act of 'disrespect'.

The values of the Alevi-Bektashi community are being disregarded:
Construction at the Gözcü Baba Tombhttps://t.co/9GghdCMKVy pic.twitter.com/of2kQCdTGw

— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) January 25, 2025

THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE

Stating that the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) showed disrespect to their sacred site by sending bulldozers, the Bektashi community used the following expressions in their press statement:

This is a press statement organized and approved by Dedebaba Ali Haydar Ercan and the Caliph Babas on behalf of the Bektashi community.

Dear Citizens,

We have been following the events regarding the ongoing project work around the Gözcü Baba Cemetery, which is under the General Directorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture, for some time; we are concerned and deeply saddened by this matter.

As is known, Alevism-Bektashism is a faith that has existed in these lands. It is our own core value. Like all our values, protecting and keeping the values of the Alevi-Bektashi faith alive is the duty not only of those who carry the Alevi-Bektashi identity, but of all citizens and our state.

The land where the graves of Alevi-Bektashi saints such as Gözcü Baba, Sancaktar Baba, Mehmet Ali Hilmi Dedebaba, and other saints are located, along with the protected trees that bear witness to history, is an important historical and cultural center of faith within the Şahkulu Sultan Dervish Lodge.

Individuals belonging to the Alevi-Bektashi faith, as well as all related institutions and organizations, are extremely disturbed by the transfer of the land in question and the new construction work. At a time when unity and solidarity are needed more than ever in society, it is impossible for us to accept the project being carried out at this site, which disregards the values of the Alevi-Bektashi community.

We hereby announce to our public and the authorities that we do not consent to the development of our faith center, which was leased to the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) for ten years by the General Directorate of Foundations after being reclassified from a 'faith center' to a 'field containing tombs'.

We hope that such reconfigurations will be reviewed with a sensitive approach that ensures harmony within the framework of beliefs and cultural values, and that they will be abandoned immediately and left in their original

state, and we offer the prayers of all Bektashi followers. For the love of Almighty Allah (C.C.), the Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (S.A.V.), Hazrat Ali (K.V.), the Ahl al-Bayt, the Great Pir Hünkar Hacı Bektaş Veli, the Saints, and the Holy Ones, Hü Dost.

News Source: 12punto