Around 100 municipalities administered by Republican People’s Party (CHP) have now recognized cemevis - sacred space for Alevis - as temples following a European Court of Human Rights verdict that Turkey committed a violation of “freedom of faith” and “discrimination” to Alevis. 

One of the latest municipalities to recognize cemevis as temples was Kadıköy - one of Turkey’s most populated districts. 

“For us, imams and dedes are equal,” Kadıköy Mayor Aykurt Nuhoğlu said. “In a secular country, everybody’s right to live their faith must be protected. As the municipality, we have an equidistance to all faiths. We approach to faiths equally.” 

Republican People’s Party Vice Chairman Veli Ağbaba told bianet that more municipalities will join the recognition process. 

What will cemevis benefit?

Ağbaba listed the benefits that cemevis get are as follows: 

* Equal status with mosques

* Municipalities will provide water, electricity, landscape arrangements, cleaning. Cemevis will get all benefits that mosque receive - which is a duty of municipalities. 

* Construction plans will be recognized as cemevi. Municipalities now will provide free area for cemevi constructions. (EKN/BM)

** Click here to read the article in Turkish.