ANKARA – Emphasising that Alevis should embrace Abdullah Öcalan’s call the most, Mustafa Karabudak, Co-chair of Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD) Ankara Branch said: “Peace is essential for Alevis. We will sit at the table with our demands.”
The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party continues to work on the ongoing “Peace and Democratic Society Process” in the context of the solution of the Kurdish isse and democratisation of the country. In this context, DEM Party discusses the process with various circles in many cities. One of the subjects of the process is Alevis.
'THE PROCESS IS VERY IMPORTANT'
Stating that Alevism is "a belief that is not particularly in power", DAD C-chair Mustafa Karabudak said: "Think like Rojava (North and East Syria). Alevism is a society without power, where everyone expresses themselves, behaves as they think, and is equitable. Therefore, we can say that Alevism is Rojava.”
Pointing out that Alevis have been under attack since the foundation of the republic, Karabudak reminded the massacres in Gazi and Çorum. Pointing out that this situation continued during the AKP period, Karabudak pointed to the call of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February to eliminate the attacks.
Karabudak stated that the call is very important for them: "Alevis are the ones who should embrace this call the most. Because when we look at the historical process, Alevis have been massacred the most along with Kurds. Peace in these lands is essential for Alevis. However, the political power on one side and the CHP on the other side are confusing Alevis. It is necessary to explain that this is not the case, that everyone really needs this peace, and that this call has importance and value. We try to explain this as much as we can in the meetings we attend. This process is very meaningful and valuable. Alevis should embrace this process in order to rebuild life and live their beliefs as they wish."
DEMANDS
Karabudak said that they have preparations for the commissions to be established within the scope of the process. Karabudak said: “If there will be a democratic constitution, we will sit at the table with our demands. This is how it should be. Because when the commission is established, all opinion leaders, peoples and beliefs living in these lands should be involved in this process. The problems of Alevis are problmes that have been accumulating for a long time. We have demands such as the legal status of cemevis, the cancellation of compulsory religion classes and contradictory programmes, and the recognition of the Alevi faith The political power defines the faith of the Alevis, but is content with just defining it. We do not accept this. Alevis should live as they believe."
'OUR DUTY IS TO EXPLAIN PEACE'
Pointing to the meetings held within the scope of the process, Karabudak concluded: “We see that there is no problem when the public is touched. But some people are confusing the society. People now want peace. If there is peace, the economy will improve, people will express themselves more easily, live more comfortably, live without fear, live as they believe. Are these bad things? Our duty is to explain again and again that Alevis need peace."