In Turkey, Minority Religious Groups Face Obstacles In Opening Places of Worship

Forum 18 reported yesterday on the continuing problems faced by minority religious communities in Turkey in establishing and maintaining formally recognized places of worship. The most significant problem is that of the large Alevi community who want their cemevi to be formally recognized by the state as houses of worship. (See prior related posting.) The ruling AKP party is working on a solution. Also the Caferi-- who are closer to Shia Islam-- want their own mosques and clergy.  Currently only the state-run Diyanet-- which is Sunni controlled-- can open mosques and administer them. Various Christian groups are also facing problems in opening or maintaining their places of worship. While these various groups can have informal places of worship, without recognition they do not get various tax exemptions. Also calling non-recognized buildings houses of worship can lead to prosecution.