Alevism

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has lauded Türkiye's 85 million citizens for their unwavering response in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes that struck the country's south in Feb. 6, claiming the lives of over 50,000 individuals.

Hundreds of people marched on July 2 to commemorate the victims of an arson attack in which 33 intellectuals and two hotel personnel lost their lives in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas on the 30th anniversary of the massacre.

Joint presidential candidate of the Nation Alliance, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, has called on the people to end political divergences over ethnic and sectarian identities via a video message in which he highlighted his Alevi background, something many people think is a disadvantage for the opposition candidate.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies have submitted a bill to the parliament for the Culture and Tourism Ministry to cover the lighting expenses of the cemevis, Alevi houses of worship.

The bill also proposes that the water costs will be met at a discount or free of charge.

The Alevi-Bektashi Culture and Cemevi Presidency will be established to meet Alevi-Bektashi citizens' demands and institutionalize the administration of cemevis, Alevi houses of worship, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced.

Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that the government is extending efforts to meet Alevi-Bektashi citizens' demands, local media has alleged that five regulations will be made for cemevis, Alevi houses of worship.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said the government is extending efforts to meet Alevi-Bektashi citizens' demands determined during visits by officials to 1,585 cemevis and that 5,600 of 8,740 requests made have already been fulfilled.

A cave in which Hüseyin Gazi, the father of the Turkish epic hero, Battal Gazi, once lived will be opened to tourism following an order by the president.

Istanbul Police Department has assigned a special team to inspect the attack carried out by two assailants on Selami Sarıtaş, the head of a cemevi in Istanbul's Kartal district, on Aug. 5.

One of the two motorcyclists, who allegedly made a scouting trip on the street before, approached Sarıtaş, who was returning home in his car, under the pretext of asking for an address.

The attacks on Alevi prayer houses, known as the "cemevi," in the capital Ankara are connected to some terror groups, the spokesperson of the interior ministry has said.

"Three people were detained. They have connections to some organizations," İsmail Çataklı said on late Aug. 3.