The State Recognition of Alevism in Austria and the Associated Rights in Education and Research

Alevis are among the religious minorities in Austria. The state recognition of Alevism in 2013 marked a high point in the area of institutional equality. This recognition brought with it not only legal but also far-reaching educational policy implications, particularly with regard to religious education and the establishment of Alevi theological and pedagogical educational institutions. The aim of this article is to analyse the state-recognized rights of institutionalized Alevism in Austria with a special focus on the field of education. Both the legal foundations and the practical implementation of Alevi educational work are presented and critically examined. In particular, the aim is to work out the extent to which institutional recognition has strengthened the religious self-determination and visibility of Alevis in the Austrian education system.