The Political Participation of Alevis: A Comparative Analysis of the Turkish Alevi Opening and the German Islam Conference

Abstract

This article focuses on the relationship between Alevis and the Turkish and German states. It does so by examining the Turkish Alevi Opening (2009–2010) and the German Islam Conference (2006–present), two unprecedented official platforms aimed at improving Alevis’ political participation. The study asks why such state-sponsored initiatives came into existence in Turkey and Germany, and why the German Islam Conference has proven more successful from the perspective of Alevis. It argues that even though the diffusion of EU norms and pressure from transnational advocacy networks have increased awareness regarding the Alevi issue, domestic factors have been more salient in the emergence and outcome of these initiatives in both countries.

Empowering a fragmented diaspora: Turkish immigrant organizations’ perceptions of and responses to Turkey’s diaspora engagement policy

“…An official from the YTB argued that the development of a pro-active diaspora agenda under the AKP is closely linked to the AKP government's strong political will and Turkey's growing economic and political power in the region. 4 During its second term between 2007 and 2011, the AKP's initial commitment to bringing the country closer to the EU led the party to pass significant constitutional and judicial reforms and to introduce the Alevi and Kurdish Openings as the first comprehensive official initiatives aimed at responding to Alevis' and Kurds' identity-based demands (Arkilic & Gurcan, 2020). While the effects of the AKP on the formerly stigmatized Islamist groups, such as the Gülen Movement and the Millî Görüş were visible from the early days of the AKP's rise to power (Akgönül, 2019), the party empowered them even further over time by creating a 'more vibrant civil society in which religious expression and religious organizations became more prominent' (Adamson, 2019, p. 224).…”

The Alevi Diaspora in France: Changing Relations with the Home and Host States

“…These workshops were aimed at building a bridge between the Turkish government and Alevi representatives (Subaşı, 2010, 165). Despite their differences, Alevi representatives attending the workshops reached a consensus on their major demands (Arkilic and Gurcan, 2020).…”

Explaining the evolution of Turkey’s diaspora engagement policy: a holistic approach

“…Emigration patterns from Turkey diversified further in the 1980s and 1990s as Turkey's economic and political instability worsened following the 1980 military coup. The escalation of civil war between right-wing and left-wing factions, the outbreak of an armed conflict between the Turkish military and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in 1984, and atrocities targeting Alevis in Sivas, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Çorum, and Istanbul between the late 1970s and 1990s triggered the departure of leftist, Kurdish, and Alevi asylum seekers from the country (Hecker 2006;Sökefeld 2008;Arkilic and Gurcan 2020). The 1980s and 1990s also marked the beginning of the outflow of low-skilled Turkish emigration to the Middle East, North Africa, and former Soviet countries (İçduygu 2008) as well as an increased emigration of students and highly-skilled workers to the United States, Canada, and Australia (Köşer-Akçapar 2006).…”