alevi

Alevi are a religious and cultural community primarily in Turkey, with smaller populations in neighboring countries and a sizable diaspora in Europe. They form a distinct current within Islam, blending Shia devotional elements—particularly reverence for Ali and Husayn—with Sufi ideas and local Anatolian and Kurdish beliefs. Many scholars describe Alevis as a heterodox or esoteric interpretation of Islam, rather than a sect identical to Sunni or mainstream Twelver Shia communities.

Geographically, the majority of Alevis live in Turkey, with concentrations in central and eastern regions as well as urban centers. Diaspora communities are established in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and other European countries, where they maintain religious and cultural practices through associations and cemevis.

Beliefs and practice center on a Cem ceremony, a communal ritual often held in a cemevi rather than a mosque. Cem gatherings are typically led by a Dede (a spiritual guide) and may feature music, song, and ritual acts that honor Ali and Husayn and emphasize moral virtues, hospitality, and social justice. In many communities, there is a strong regard for gender equality within ritual life, and practices reflect a plural, inclusive approach to community leadership, sometimes extending to female dedes.

Ritual life is supported by the concept of ocak, or spiritual lineages and houses, associated with Bektashi leadership and transmission of teachings. The Alevi tradition emerged from the Bektashi order in medieval Anatolia and has absorbed various Shia and local influences over time. In contemporary Turkey, Alevis have faced political tension and calls for greater recognition of cemevis as places of worship, alongside broader debates about religious minority rights.