The Kurds and Alevis: a long and complex history within Turk

The Kurds and Alevis are two distinct ethnic and religious groups that have a long and complex history within Turkey. Both groups have faced significant discrimination and marginalization at various points in Turkey's history, and continue to struggle for equality and recognition in the present day.

The Kurds are an ethnic group with a distinct language and culture that primarily inhabit the southeastern region of Turkey, as well as parts of Iraq, Iran, and Syria. They constitute the largest ethnic minority in Turkey and have a population of around 15-20 million. Historically, the Turkish government has denied the existence of a Kurdish ethnic identity, and has attempted to assimilate Kurds into mainstream Turkish society through various means, such as banning the use of the Kurdish language and suppressing Kurdish cultural expression. This has led to a long-standing Kurdish insurgency in Turkey, with various Kurdish separatist groups fighting for autonomy or independence.

The Alevis are a religious minority group in Turkey that practice a form of Shia. They constitute around 10-15% of Turkey's population and are primarily concentrated in the central and eastern regions of the country. Alevis have faced discrimination and marginalization in Turkey for centuries, in part due to their religious beliefs and practices, which differ from those of the Sunni Muslim majority. They have been denied recognition as a distinct religious group and their religious practices have been banned or restricted. Alevis have also faced violence and persecution, particularly during the late Ottoman period and in the early years of the Turkish Republic.

One of the main issues faced by Kurds is the lack of political representation. Despite making up a significant portion of Turkey's population, Kurds have historically been underrepresented in government and political institutions. This lack of representation has led to a lack of representation in the decision-making process, which has resulted in policies that have disproportionately affected the Kurdish population. For example, the Turkish government has implemented policies that have led to the displacement of Kurdish communities, which has resulted in the loss of livelihoods, homes and cultural heritage.

Another issue faced by Kurds is the ongoing conflict with the Turkish government. The Turkish government has been engaged in a decades-long conflict with Kurdish separatist groups, which has led to human rights abuses, displacement and loss of life. The conflict has also led to the restriction of civil liberties and the suppression of Kurdish culture and language. This has resulted in a lack of trust between the Kurdish population and the government, which has further exacerbated the issues faced by Kurds.

Alevis also face a number of social and political issues. One of the main issues is the lack of recognition of Alevi religious practices. Despite being a significant minority group in Turkey, Alevis have historically been denied recognition as a distinct religious group. This has led to a lack of representation in government and political institutions, which has resulted in policies that have disproportionately affected the Alevi population. Additionally, Alevi religious practices have been banned or restricted, which has led to a lack of religious freedom.

Another issue faced by Alevis is the lack of representation in education. Alevis have historically been underrepresented in the education system, which has led to a lack of understanding and acceptance of Alevi culture and beliefs. This has resulted in discrimination and marginalization of Alevi students and educators.

In recent years, there have been some efforts to address the issues faced by Kurds and Alevis in Turkey. The Turkish government has taken steps to improve the rights and representation of both groups, such as allowing for the use of the Kurdish language in some public spaces and education and recognizing Alevi places of worship. However, many Kurds and Alevis continue to face discrimination and marginalization in various aspects of society, and both groups continue to call for greater equality and recognition.