The solutions to the Alevi issue in the context of democracy, laicism and equal

Alevi issue is increasingly discussed and spoken by both political particies and public opinion at the time that sectarian violence has been increased rapidly in the Middle East. From the establishment of the Republic of Turkey till now, all the government parties have seen Alevi community as a way of getting more votes when they have dealt with the Alevi issue. As a result of this, the Alevi issue has been ‟politicizedˮ and ignored by political parties. The demands of the majority of Alevis are the recognition of cemevis as a worship place with the same status as mosques or churches for a permanent solution andthe abolition of compulsory religious education. The Alevi issue is not only the issue that Alevi community faces, but also a democracy and equal citizenship issue. The Alevi issue will be solved when the democracy and equal citizenship will be establihed. The main purpose of this study is to discuss and examine the Alevi issue in the context of democracy and equal citizenship.