Dilek Bozkurt / Karacaahmet Dergah Gürpınar Cemevi Administration reacted strongly against CHP Kayseri Provincial Chairman Ümit Özer's remarks against Alevis.
In the statement made on behalf of Gürpınar Karacaahmet Sultan Cemevi President Av. Ali Dalgın, it was emphasized that the statements constitute a constitutional crime and demanded an apology and a disciplinary process.
Karacaahmet Dervish Dervish Dervish Lodge Gürpınar Cemevi Administration issued a written statement about the statements of CHP Kayseri Provincial Chairman Ümit Özer, which were reflected in the public opinion and offended the Alevi community. In the statement issued in response to Özer's remarks, “As I got to know Alevis, I made MHP members my favorites”, it was stated that this language normalizes discrimination and harms social peace.
“Constitutional Crime”
In a statement made by Av. Ali Dalgın on behalf of the Gürpınar Cemevi Management, it was stated that the statements in question cannot only be described as “unfortunate”. The following statements were made in the statement:
”Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code regulating hate crimes prohibit discrimination based on belief. For a politician to devalue a faith community by implication is not only incompatible with political morality, but also gives rise to legal liability.”
”Alevis are an Essential Element of this Country”
In the statement issued by Dalgın, it was emphasized that Alevis are not a community to be “tolerated as they are recognized”, but an essential element that must be respected on the basis of equal citizenship. It was reminded that declaring a belief “acceptable” by comparing it to another identity is the product of a dangerous mentality that bears responsibility for the suffering of the past.