Alevism in Britain

Alevism (not to be confused with Alawites) is a heterodox, syncretic, and mystical Islamic belief that is historically believed to have emerged around the 13th century, stemming from Haci Bektas Veli's teachings, and is rooted in the region spanning from Central Asia to the Balkan Mountains, and, more specifically, Anatolia. It is estimated that Alevism is the second-largest religious belief in Türkiye, with some approximating around 20 million believers, although this number cannot be verified. Alevism is generally understood as belonging to the Shi'a denomination of Islam, particularly due to its special reverence for Ali (cousin of the Prophet Muhammad), although it is important to note that Alevism has distinctive interpretations and practices, largely associated with what are considered folk-religious or shamanic elements in the region. The term Alevism is a broad label encompassing various ethnic communities and an array of beliefs, generally centred on two main groups: the Kizilbash and the Bektashis. In common usage, these groups are brought together under the umbrella term Alevi-Bektashi due to their shared beliefs. Broadly, Alevi cosmology is centred around the idea of God, also named 'Hakk' (or 'Hak' and 'Haq', depending on the language), meaning truth/the truth. It is believed that God is the creator of the cosmos and, therefore, that humans and other beings are sacred because they bear the essence of God. This is why Alevis refer to each other as 'Can' (or 'Jan'), meaning soul, emphasising a 'total unity' between beings, the cosmos, humanity and God. This unity is symbolised through the saying 'Hakk-Muhammad-Ali', which unites three sacred Alevi tenets: God (Hakk), Muhammed (the cosmos), and Ali (Humanity). The central tenet of Alevism holds that ethical principles and morality are prerequisites for the faith. Being "master of one's hand, tongue and loins" is a common saying to warn Alevis against behaving immorally by using their hand (i.e. not stealing), their tongue (not lying) and their loins (not committing adultery). The soul has immortality, and infinitely circulates until one reaches the status of perfection/maturity through spiritual development by passing four gateways and forty 'stations' (ten for each gateway). In order to do so, virtues such as humanism, egalitarianism, mutual assistance and gender equality are prioritised as social characteristics, and behaviour such as lying, adultery or murder is viewed as deeds of the 'fallen' (düşkün). Those who do not observe moral principles are excommunicated from community life. There is no fixed place of worship or ritual, and God is believed to be placeless, except as ingrained in the human heart. Similarly, there is no formal place of worship, except for the group ritual known as the Cem, in which members of the faith come together to perform various rites, such as the Semah (or 'samah'), a sacred, mystical dance. Likewise, there is no ultimate leader or spiritual position in Alevism. Instead, Pirs, Dedes, or Anas are spiritual leaders believed to descend from the holy lineage of Ali, and they are associated with centres called Ocak (hearth). This system operates as a circular supervision system, with leaders being accountable to their followers. As there is no orthodoxy or singular sacred text, oral accounts, such as poetry, epic tales, and sayings (performed on the saz- a long-necked traditional stringed instrument, quintessential in Anatolian folk music), are accorded great importance. Consequently, some of the most highly regarded personalities in Alevism are poets, such as the seven 'grand poets' known as Ulu Ozanlar. Alevism is not only regarded as a religious belief but also a cultural or ethnic identity. The largest Alevi ethnic communities are Turkish and Kurdish, and Alevism has diasporic communities outside of Türkiye, particularly since the 1970s in Western Europe. Both as an ethnic identity and as a religion, Alevism has deep, historically rooted political tensions in Türkiye, with numerous accounts of violent massacres, facing social prejudice and state negligence. This entry focuses on Alevism in the United Kingdom, primarily following the Britain (or British, both labels have been utilised) Alevi Federation, which was established in 2013. The Federation claims that approximately 300,000 Alevis live in the UK, and that a large number of these members arrived through asylum claims, although these figures have not been verified.