AleviKurdish

Alevi Kurdish refers to individuals who identify with both Alevi religious beliefs and Kurdish ethnicity. Alevism is a syncretic religion with a strong emphasis on humanism, equality, and tolerance, often described as a mystical branch of Islam or a distinct religion with pre-Islamic Anatolian roots. Kurds are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region in Western Asia, primarily inhabiting contiguous areas of southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northern Syria, and northwestern Iran. The Alevi Kurdish population is concentrated in certain regions, particularly in Dersim (Tunceli) province and surrounding areas in eastern Turkey, as well as in parts of western Iran and northern Syria. Historically, Alevi Kurds have often faced similar socio-political pressures as other Kurdish populations, including issues related to cultural and linguistic rights. Their religious beliefs and ethnic identity are interwoven, influencing their cultural practices, social structures, and political aspirations. While distinct from the majority Sunni Muslim Kurdish population, Alevi Kurds share commonalities in language, customs, and historical experiences with other Kurdish groups, while their Alevi faith sets them apart religiously.