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Sixth Annual Mediterranean Social and Political Research Meeting
Abstract
In recent years the Alevis have become the focus of intense debate in Turkish politics and media. Since 1990, there has been renewed interest in and increased acceptance of their beliefs, along with a realisation that the Alevi community's political support is of strategic importance-as a form of insurance against radical Islam-to Turkey's modernisation process. These developments, coupled with globalisation and Turkey's participation in the EU process, have brought the Alevis many freedoms that, up to now, they were not permitted to enjoy. Moreover the Alevi issue became a part of Turkey's European agenda despite the Turkish government's not having been aware or having approved of all EC's reports. No doubt all these developments positively affect Alevis in Turkey. However, as we understand from the EC report, it is very difficult to say that reality has totally changed for Alevis in Turkey. Within the framework of the EU's perspective on minorities, I explore how Alevis define themselves, the discrimination they have experienced throughout their life, what they expect from the EU, and how they perceive the EU's acceptance of them as a 'religious minority'.
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