We retain the questions and order of the 10-question series published on our official account. We have expanded the answers to explain our identity, principles and the context of our statements more clearly.
1. Are you fascists?
No. We defend our nation’s interests and embrace our Turkish identity, culture and shared future. This approach is not based on excluding people because of their beliefs or origins. Our understanding of shared identity brings together history, homeland, culture and the will to live together.
Our publications oppose imposing an identity on anyone, call for respect for differences in belief and advocate standing with those who face injustice. For us, national unity means taking shared responsibility without turning differences into hostility. Read more in the article on shared identity and brotherhood.
2. Are you provocateurs?
No. Our aim is to strengthen national unity and solidarity. Against the use of religious and identity differences to create hostility between people, we promote brotherhood, solidarity and mutual respect.
Openly expressing our Turkish and Alevi identity, keeping our cultural heritage alive and defending our rights are parts of our organisational approach. As we share our views openly, we also uphold a sense of shared homeland and the responsibility of living together. Constitutional citizenship, freedom of belief and justice complement this understanding of unity.
3. What does Turan have to do with it?
We see Turan not merely as a geographical ideal, but as an aspiration to strengthen the shared linguistic and cultural ties of the Turkic world. As part of Turkish culture, we value understanding this common heritage, keeping it alive and passing it on to future generations.
Culture, education, art, research and cooperation between communities are practical areas of work within this approach. Our current statements link solidarity in the Turkic world with mutual respect and shared development. Respect for each state’s self-determination and stronger ties between societies are also part of this understanding. Cultural and heartfelt ties with the Turkic world is the article in which we explain this approach in more detail.
4. Why the name Türk Alevi Ocakları?
Because we embrace both our Turkish and Alevi identity. Without separating Turkish culture from Alevi-Bektashi heritage, we come together around love for Imam Ali and the Ehl-i Beyt, cultural transmission, republican values and solidarity. Our name reflects our determination to express this identity openly.
We do not want this connection to remain only a name or a statement. We aim to create lasting work through cultural and historical research, education, art, ties with younger generations and social solidarity. About us presents our principles; Our organisation explains our phased approach to organisational development.
5. Are you Ülkücü?
No. We give the same answer in our official question-and-answer series. We define ourselves through the name Türk Alevi Ocakları and the principles we have stated ourselves. We embrace Turkish identity, Alevi culture, commitment to Atatürk and solidarity with the Turkic world together.
A single sign or post does not describe our whole approach. When assessing our identity, our own statements, our emphasis on freedom of belief and constitutional citizenship, and our goals for culture and solidarity should be read together. Our organisational identity was prepared to explain this overall picture.
6. Why do you share posts about Reis Sedat Peker?
Our official explanation gives a shared understanding of Turan and what we regard as friendship towards Alevis as the reasons for these posts. The series emphasises mutual affection and respect, and explains how we respond to what we perceive as goodwill towards us.
This answer explains our organisation’s own assessment. Understanding a post requires reading the full explanation in context. You can view the relevant question-and-answer image through the official Instagram source at the end of this page. For our general principles, see About us.
7. Why do you use the Grey Wolf hand gesture?
Our official series explains that we use the Grey Wolf hand gesture to express our sense of belonging to Turkish identity. The meaning we give it is to make our national belonging and cultural connection visible.
We do not view our use of symbols separately from our other statements. While embracing Turkish identity, we also stress that different beliefs should not prevent brotherhood, that people’s rights must be respected and that we share responsibility for the future. Alongside interpretations based on a symbol, we therefore ask that our organisation’s own definition and all its publications be considered.
8. Why do you love Atatürk?
We respect and remain committed to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, embracing his legacy of independence, the Republic and modernisation. Our official series states Atatürk’s place in our outlook clearly. Our publications express this commitment alongside secularism, reason and science.
We do not regard this merely as an expression of remembrance. We also value thinking, research, seeking truth and taking responsibility towards future generations. We advocate a society in which citizens can live their faith freely and coexist in mutual respect. Reason, science and conscience is the article in which we explain this understanding in more detail.
9. Are you an officially registered association?
Yes; this is also the answer given in the question-and-answer series on our organisation’s official account. You may address requests for information or documents about the association directly to our authorised management. It is important to obtain current information on membership, representation and organisational procedures through this channel.
Those wishing to take part in our work can visit the Get involved & Membership page and complete the application form. Submitting the form sends your application to our management; it does not automatically confirm membership. For information or document requests, clearly state the subject in the contact form.
10. Seyid Rıza or Diyap Ağa?
Our answer is Diyap Ağa. This is the preference stated in our official question-and-answer series. Diyap Ağa served in the First Assembly and is remembered for his stance during the National Struggle. The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s publications about the First Assembly also highlight his place in the struggle for independence.
This preference can be read alongside our emphasis on independence, a shared homeland and national unity. A broader assessment of historical figures and events requires a separate study of contemporary documents and research. For historical context, see the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s statement on the First Assembly; for our organisation’s answer, see the official Instagram source below.