ISTANBUL - ABF Chair Mustafa Aslan declared his support for a possible peace and pointed to the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan. "If the state and those who govern the state are sincere, there is a need to talk on a democratic and free ground with the person they take as an interlocutor," says Mustafa Aslan. 

 

Following the talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, discussions on a solution to the Kurdish issue continue. Abdullah Öcalan's call for all segments of society to contribute positively to the process remains on the agenda of different segments. Mustafa Aslan, Chair of the Alevi Bektashi Federation (ABF) and Erdal Ahi, 2nd Chiar of the Alevi Federation of Turkey and Chair of Kazım Karabekir Cemevi in Istanbul, evaluated the role of Alawites in the socialisation of peace. 

 

ABF Chair Mustafa Aslan stated that they have a demand for the socialisation of peace. Emphasising that peace is inevitable in the current conditions in Turkey, Aslan said that peace can achieved through a democratic republic. 

 

Underlining that the government extends a hand on the one hand and continues its attacks on the other, Aslan emphasised that if a possible peace is achieved, an environment where everyone can express themselves and no one will be marginalised because of their beliefs, language or ethnic identity can be achieved. 

 

Reminding that there are talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Aslan stated that despite the talks, the will of the Kurdish people in the elections is ignored and Kurdish journalists were arrested. 

 

Aslan added, "If the state and those who govern the state are really sincere, there is a need to talk to the person they take as an interlocutor on a democratic and free ground. We all know that this will not happen with isolation between four walls. If they are really sincere about peace, a free and democratic environment must first be created. Without this democratic environment, peace cannot be achieved by just meeting between four walls and just mentioning names."

 

‘WE NEED PEACE’

 

Erdal Ahi, Chair of Kazım Karabekir Neighbourhood Cemevi in Istanbul and 2nd President of the Alevi Federation of Turkey, stated that peace is very important especially for Alawites and said, "Alawites have always been on the side of love, tolerance, brotherhood, friendship and sharing. We are a society focussed on survival and existence. Especially in these days, we need peace, law and justice in our country."

 

Emphasising that the war continues in the country and the Alawite community has always been at war, Ahi said, "No matter how much the Alawite community has been in favour of peace, they have always been at war. Some people tried to use this goodwill and peacefulness of the Alawite community. We do not accept a massacre of our Alawite souls both in our country and in Syria. We also protest against the administration there. Alawites in Syria and all people there, whether they believe or not, must be treated equally."

 

Stating that it is important to ensure peace in Turkey, Ahi added, "Peace means enlightenment of everything. Therefore, everyone needs peace very much. Alawites will have demands in the peace process. We, the Alawite community, have no demand that cannot be accepted since Karbala. First of all, we want our faith institutions where we worship to be given legal status. Cemevis should be places of worship. Alawites are a community of 25 million people in this country. This is our right."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu