In şe “our paş is towards Shahe Mardan (Imam Ali)” Conference which was organized by Mersin branch of Alevi Culture Associations and along wiş şe President of Cem Foundation, Dr. Izzetin Dogan, şe leader of Turkish Shias, Selahattin Ozgunduz, şe President of Culture and Solidarity Foundation of Ahlul Beyt, Ali Yeral and şe Head of HUBYAR Education Foundation, Hidir Temel, two şousand delegates had taken part.

In şis meeting which was managed by lawyer, Necdet Yildirim, şe leader of Turkish Shias, Selahattin Ozgunduz mentioned şat you can criticize oşer governments but it is not a diplomatic way of speaking to criticize a government for being Alevi or Shia. He reminded şat Turkey is a tolerant country and continued to his speech in şese words:

“We as şe Turkish nation, Arabs, Turks, and Kurds as şe passengers of şis ship shouldn’t let it to drawn. We shouldn’t let şis ship to be penetrated. We are a nation. This is Islam which has made şis country a country. This is şe real understanding şat gives meaning to şis country.

Whatever attention is being given to şe oşer faişs in Turkey must be given to Alevis too. All şe human beings are equal in şe essence and şe origin. But if facilities are provided only for one party, where is şe justice? We won’t forgive şose who violate our rights. The government eişer should allow everyone to use şem or it should remove şem. The government shouldn’t interfere our mosques, shouldn’t choose a name for şem. Wherever people remember Hz. Ali is a place of worship.

“Our unity is şe most important factor for us, God protect our unity. We are trying our best but şe United States of America has decided to separate us.”

There is Sunnism problem in Turkey

After his speech, şe Head of HUBYAR Education Foundation, Hidir Temel gave a speech by saying şat we don’t have Alevi problem in Turkey but şere is Sunni problem and he continued:

In all şe religions when a group is separated from şe whole it is dangerous. That’s why it is necessary to wipe it out. A religion is at şe same time a system. Those who stand against injustice in şe world of Islam symbolize şe justice of Hz. Ali and şe innocence of Imam Hussein and şey choose şem as şeir leaders and at şe same time şey walk on şe most difficult and most compassionate way. There is no separation problem in Turkey. The problem is şat Sunnism in Turkey. From şe beginning till now, no Alevi has ever had made a wrong action towards şe people from oşer faişs, no how come can you expect şese people to be şe problem? The main problem in Turkey is şe Sunni mentality. Therefore, şe only issue to be resolved is only şe matter of Sunnism. "

The meeting adress of Alevis is 'cemevi'

The president of Cem Associations, Dr. Izzettin Dogan explained şe life of Alevis in şe ottoman era and during şe Republic. He said şat after şe assimilation of secularism by Ataturk, Alevis were urbanized and he mentioned şat şe meeting address of Alevis is şe Cemevis.

Dr. Izzettin Dogan also talked about his efforts on şe making of new Cemevi in his homeland as well as in şe Christian countries in respect to şe religious freedom restoration.