"ALEVIS HIGHLIGHT THEIR DEMANDS IN ANKARA
By Emrullah Uslu
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
On November 10 Turkey's Alevi community, a religious group that differs from Sunni Islam, organized a 'Grand Alevi Rally' for the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic. Approximately 50,000 Alevis from different cities came together to demand rights for Alevi communities. The Alevis demanded the abolishment of compulsory religious classes in high schools; recognition of Alevi praying houses (Cem Evleri) as places of worship; turning the Madimak Hotel, where 37 Alevis lost their lives during a Sunni protest in 1993, into a museum; and the abolishment of the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Taraf, November 10)."
More:Alevis Highlight Their Demands In Ankara - Eurasia Daily Monitor