The state does not officially recognize Cemevis as places of worship, often categorizing them as "cultural centers," which deprives them of public funding and benefits.
: Their faith is a distinct and mystical interpretation of Islam, fusing elements of Shia Islam, Sufism, and ancient Anatolian traditions. Religious Minorities in Turkey: Alevi, Armenian...
: In practice, the Turkish state officially recognizes only Greeks, Armenians, and Jews as minorities under this treaty. The state does not officially recognize Cemevis as
The landscape of religious minorities in Turkey is a complex tapestry defined by ancient heritage, the remnants of the Ottoman "millet" system, and modern legal frameworks like the . The Legal Framework: The Treaty of Lausanne often categorizing them as "cultural centers
The Alevis represent the largest religious minority in Turkey, with estimates ranging between of the population.