WUNRN
Minority Perspective and the Case of Alevilik in Turkey
Bedriye Poyraz
EU Working Papers
RSCAS No. 2006/24
EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE
Excerpts:
"Alevis are the largest religious minority in
Turkey, numbering some 15 million people, equal to approximately 25% of Turkey's
current population. The vast majority of Alevis are ethnic and linguistic Turks,
though about 20% are Kurds."
"Women are included on an equal footing with men in
all communal and religious gatherings. The idea of equality, justice and respect
for all give Alevi women a higher status in society than Sunni women. Alevi
women are not required to be veiled and are not segregated as Sunni women, nor
must they fear polygamy or one-sided divorce, as Alevis practice monogamy, and
divorce is comparatively rare."
The absolute centre of Alevi faith is the edeb
(morality).....It is a moral order that forbids theft, lying, and
adultery."
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