Alevi identity in Western Thrace: A vulnerable identity open to exploitation

Opinion
Fri, 18 Oct 2024 9:25 GMT
Alevi identity, like in many parts of Türkiye, has deep historical roots in Western Thrace.
Alevi identity in Western Thrace: A vulnerable identity open to exploitation

However, in contemporary times, this identity is often framed within political dynamics, frequently being positioned as an opposition to Sunni identity. This positioning is less a result of natural developments and more a consequence of political tensions throughout history. Alevis have been, at times, instrumentalized by politicians and various groups, leading to a contentious and often misunderstood identity.

Historically, the Alevi community in Western Thrace has been most prominently associated with the Bektashi order. When the Bektashi dervishes first arrived in the Balkans during the early Ottoman period, they not only won hearts but also laid the groundwork for military conquests, as expressed by historian Ömer Lütfi Barkan. These "Colonizing Turkish Dervishes" were part of a broader movement alongside Yesevi, Mevlevi, and Naqshbandi orders, playing a crucial role in the region. However, today’s Alevi community in Western Thrace is more insular, which has made them more susceptible to being drawn into the ongoing Sunni-Alevi debates.

The strong historical bond between Bektashism and the Turkish community in Western Thrace speaks to both sides of the Sunni-Alevi discussion. Bektashis historically believed that their ascetic lives brought them closer to God, and as such, they felt less reliant on traditional religious practices. However, this does not mean Bektashism should be viewed as separate from the Sunni community. Rather, Bektashism is deeply intertwined with the social and cultural fabric of the region.

Alevi identity, as a syncretic belief system, traces its roots back to Shamanism. The flexibility in Bektashi worship practices appealed to Alevis, who integrated comfortably into the Bektashi order. In the sociology of religion, syncretism refers to the blending of different religious traditions to form a new entity. Alevi identity, despite its integration with Bektashism in the 15th century, began to diverge from Sunni identity due to the political conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavids. The political tensions during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim placed Anatolian Alevis at the center of this conflict, leading to the distinction of Sunni and Alevi identities from that period onward.

With the founding of the Turkish Republic, Alevi identity became more diverse. Some Alevis practiced their rituals in cemevis while others continued to attend mosques, illustrating that Alevis were not entirely separate from Sunni Muslims. However, certain political and social events led to Alevi identity becoming more closed off and traumatic.

Historically, Western Thrace’s Alevi community was among the first Muslim groups in the Balkans, playing a vital role in shaping the social and cultural landscape through their Bektashi heritage. However, in modern times, this community has become vulnerable to political exploitation, particularly influenced by the tensions between Alevis and Sunnis in Türkiye. Past traumatic events have also impacted the Alevi community in Western Thrace, making them more defensive about their identity.

In such an environment, Alevi identity in the Balkans has become susceptible to manipulation. Claims about the Bektashi state in Albania or rumors linking Alevi beliefs, such as the veneration of the 12 Imams, to the 12 Apostles of Jesus or the 12 Olympian gods of Ancient Greece demonstrate the political pressure on Alevis from multiple directions.

Separating the Alevi community in Western Thrace from the region’s Sunni Muslims contradicts history and culture. These communities were part of the Muslim populations that brought Islam to the Balkans, led by Bektashi dervishes. Rather than framing Alevi identity as a threat or separate entity, it is crucial to recall and strengthen the historical bonds and shared past.

The Alevi community in Western Thrace has been an integral part of the region’s fabric throughout history. Today, revisiting these historical ties and reinforcing them would contribute to both Alevi and Sunni communities in the region. If the local population sees Alevis as part of themselves and if Alevis adapt to this perspective, it will significantly enhance the social fabric of the region. This mutual integration would foster positive cultural and social outcomes for the Western Thrace Turkish community. Therefore, by remembering these historical connections and refraining from political manipulation, both Alevi identity and the unity of the Turkish community in Western Thrace can be preserved and strengthened.

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