Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan said that the process is a vital opportunity and that everyone must work for reconciliation and a shared country.
Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call on February 27 marked the beginning of a new phase in Turkey. At this stage, a parliamentary commission has been established with the participation of parties represented in the Assembly, and its work has already begun.
Although the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has tried to shape the commission solely around the disarmament of the guerrillas, both the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) and various segments of society have emphasized that the commission should provide solutions to a wide range of issues.
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan, known for his research on Alevis and Alevism, as well as on urban sociology and migration, evaluated the expectations of Alevis from this new phase and the significance of the process in an interview with ANF.
There is an identity issue in Turkey
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan noted that not only Kurds or non-Muslim communities, but many segments of society in Turkey face problems due to their identities.
Aslan explained: “As an academic who studies Alevism and as an Alevi myself, I can share some of my personal views. In Turkey, it is not only Alevis or Kurds who face problems; more broadly, there is a general issue concerning identity. There is a problem of distance toward identities, an effort to eliminate them. Perhaps this is a deeply rooted issue constructed since the late Ottoman period, tied to Turkish modernization. From that time until today, many identities in Turkey, not only non-Muslim communities as often assumed, but also Muslim identities, and different identities, including those from the Balkans and the Caucasus, have carried deep social traumas caused by this policy. There are profound social consequences and significant social costs.”
If traditional policies are abandoned, results will be seen
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan said that Turkey has always carried within it a search for light regarding the resolution of its problems and explained: “That is why one of Turkey’s eyes is always fixed on a light concerning how, when, and in what way these issues might be resolved. Turkey has always been like this, and whenever such a light appears, even if faint, it has generated optimism and positive expectations among all identity groups. I see the current situation in the same way. Once again such a light has emerged, and perhaps Turkey may abandon, at least to some degree, its traditional policies. It may begin to see the consequences of the social costs it has created until now. There is also a hope that perhaps it may confront these to some extent.”
An opportunity to breathe
Aslan noted that a sense of hope has emerged among all communities and emphasized that this process represents a significant opportunity. He stressed that everyone must strive for positive outcomes and continued: “This hope is not only seen among the Kurds, who are often regarded as the primary addressees of this issue, but also among all identity groups. Perhaps it is a wish, but this time I sincerely hope for success. Can it succeed? There are many reasons for it to succeed, yet there are also dynamics that could prevent it. That is why each of us should see this process as an opportunity, a chance, for Turkey to breathe, for the country to reconcile with its identities, for the sense that this homeland, this geography, belongs equally to all identities to grow, and for the necessary legal reforms to be enacted. This is what I hope for. Like all citizens of the Republic of Turkey, I too await this process with great anticipation.”
Alevis want to be free
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Aslan drew attention to the fact that Alevis do not have the kind of large-scale organization that some might assume and emphasized their demand for a free life. He concluded his remarks by saying: “When it comes to the Alevis, they have characteristics that are quite different from all other identities. They do not have weapons to lay down; in fact, they have nothing of the sort. They have no enemies either. Contrary to what is often imagined, they do not have large organizations capable of mobilizing them. What they do have are small communities, small spaces where they can express their voices. They have their beautiful gathering places, where they come together and hold their cem rituals. That is all; nothing more. And they simply want to be free, just like everyone else. I hope this process will conclude in such a way for the Alevis as well.
