Western Thrace Alevi-Bektashi elders issue condolences for Akın Çetin Dede

Alevi-Bektashi religious elders from Western Thrace have issued a message of condolence following the death of Akın Çetin Dede, one of the dedes of the Seyyid Ali Sultan Ocak and a resident of Musulca village in Edirne.

Akın Çetin Dede, a respected Alevi-Bektashi spiritual leader in Thrace and the Balkans and a member of the Seyyid Ali Sultan Ocak, passed away on Friday, September 4.

Following his death, a condolence message was issued by Hasan Apti Dede, the postnishin of the Seyyid Ali Sultan Lodge, together with dedes Ahmet Paşa Dede, Mehmet Koç Dede and Apti Pencal Dede.

The message expressed deep sorrow over Çetin Dede's passing and extended condolences and prayers for patience to his family, relatives, the people of Musulca village and members of the Seyyid Ali Sultan Ocak.

The statement described Akın Çetin Dede as a devoted servant of the Alevi-Bektashi spiritual path and a valued dede of the ocak, emphasizing the loss his death represents for his family, community and fellow members of the tradition.

The condolence message also reflected the spiritual understanding of death within the Alevi-Bektashi tradition, stating that people come from the Divine and ultimately return to the Divine.

The message concluded with prayers for the deceased, wishing him an eternal spiritual journey and blessings, while invoking Hakk-Muhammed-Ali, the erenler and Seyyid Ali Sultan as spiritual protectors and guides.

“May the journey of our departed can be eternal and blessed,” the statement said, while expressing wishes of patience and strength to those left behind.

Akın Çetin Dede's death marks a loss for the Alevi-Bektashi community in Thrace and the wider Balkan region, where the Seyyid Ali Sultan Ocak has maintained an important religious and cultural presence.