Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun attended the Alevi Workshop, underscoring the need to safeguard the rights of Alevis, who for millennia have upheld the principles of a democratic society.

The workshop, organised by the Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD) at a city-centre hotel, brought together Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun; Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar; MPs; and representatives of political parties and civil society organisations.

Opening the event, DAD Co-Chair Kadriye Doğan said the two-day workshop would explore Alevi belief and practice.

Co-Mayor Hatun: Alevis have not abandoned democratic society

Addressing the workshop, Co-Mayor Hatun stressed that Alevis have never abandoned a democratic social ethos, saying: “It would have been valuable to have adherents of other faiths here today. Those unfamiliar with Alevism may think only of protecting their own beliefs, without knowing others’ lives, perspectives or faiths. We know that Alevis, for thousands of years, have never given up on democratic society. They have lived this within their own communities and organised on this basis in the wider society; they have always remained organised.”

Recalling attacks against Alevis in Syria, Co-Mayor Hatun added: “If a new democratic course is envisaged for the Middle East, organised communities must stand together, get to know one another and pursue their struggles jointly. We must also protect the rights of Alevis. I thank all who have contributed to this work.”