Legal status to cemevis

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has clearly underlined that the new government program will specifically focus on "restructuring and reforms."

The first comprehensive reform program has turned into a government program, and Turkey has for the first time reached the threshold of resolving its century-long fundamental problems by means of an influential government and a democratically elected ruling power. Dozens of subjects - which have been covered in the political parties' programs for years but were somehow not realized - are now at the stage of resolution.

The cornerstones of Turkey, including a new up-to-date constitution and laws on political parties and elections, are now being reorganized with the technology and spirit of a new era. Prime Minister Davutoğlu expressed their goals recently. "We aim to create a Turkey where everyone can, as much as possible, benefit from fundamental rights and liberties. As part of this aim, we are adopting an approach that guarantees the lifestyle of every individual in society."

As part of this approach, the government program also includes the highly debated presidential system issue and the resolution of ethnic and religious problems that have been on Turkey's agenda since the 1990s. In this respect, the final arrangements will be made in the Alevi community's request of a legal status for their places of worship, cemevis, which is an issue that has been long discussed but has often been used as a political football. The reforms planned by the 64th government cover granting a legal status to cemevis.

Prime Minister Davutoğlu talked on the subject explicitly. "The requests based on the beliefs and culture of the Alevi citizens of Turkey and traditional knowledge centers will be met. We will take the necessary steps on the basis of democratic consensus through dialogue with the Alevi community's opinion leaders concerning various topics such as managing cemevis, informing within the educational system and establishing research and application centers in universities. We will provide legal status to the cemevis and traditional knowledge centers."

This is a historic step. Granting legal status to cemevis is a turning point in Republican history. This step has major significance. Alevi citizens, who were ignored, marginalized, and came under the threat of annihilation by unimaginable tyrannies, will be equal and free citizens of the country from now on. They will not have to hide their identity or be marginalized due to their beliefs any longer.

Over the last few months, Alevi non-governmental organizations have engaged in a silent resistance by refusing to pay cemevis' water and electricity bills. Hopefully, the government can resolve the problem as soon as possible with amendments be made in the Law on Municipality, Land and Electrification, and could relieve house of worships from the coverage of politics. Since this subject was also covered in the election campaigns of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), it will not be hard to gain the support of opposition parties. Maybe, the joint action of opposition parties on the subject could mark the beginning of new partnerships. Turkey needs such joint actions.