Özgür Özel calls for Alevi equality at Hacı Bektaş Veli ceremonies

Yeni Parti Leader Özgür Özel attended the 63rd National and 37th International Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies in Nevşehir, where he called for equal citizenship and rights for the Alevi community.

Özel emphasized that Alevism is a faith rather than just a culture, arguing that treating it as a cultural element under the Ministry of Culture while Sunnis are managed through the Presidency of Religious Affairs constitutes discrimination. He stated that the struggle for equality would continue until every Alevi feels like a full and equal citizen.

During his speech, Özel also addressed the historical and social role of Alevis in Turkey, noting their contributions to the nation's founding and their resilience through various historical traumas. He pledged that if his party were to come to power, they would seek the consensus and approval of the Alevi community and take concrete steps toward addressing their demands.