The Bornova Alevi Unity Platform came together at a breakfast event hosted by Bornova Municipality, voicing demands for equal citizenship, official recognition of cemevis as houses of worship, and justice. Representatives of the CHP emphasized solidarity and continued struggle. The event also featured folk songs accompanied by saz, and donations were collected for baby Çınar, who is battling SMA.

The breakfast gathering, held at Dr. Sırrı Aydoğan Cultural Center in Atatürk Neighborhood, brought together Alevi associations, community organizations, and representatives of cemevis. Among the attendees were İzmir Metropolitan Municipality CHP Group Spokesperson and Bornova Municipality CHP Group Deputy Chair Av. Yağmur Yurdakul Özkan, İzmir Metropolitan Council Member Hazel Öztürk Işık, Bornova Deputy Mayor Cem Arıkan, and Bornova City Council President Av. Doğan Baran Mengüş.

“Alevism cannot be a matter of negotiation”
Barış Çelik, President of the Pir Sultan Abdal Association’s Bornova Branch, reminded participants that the Alevi Unity Platform was founded seven years ago to strengthen solidarity. He stated:
“Today’s gathering is not only a breakfast but also an expression of our determination to protect our identity and our path. Alevis have fought for equal citizenship for centuries. Yet, cemevis are still not officially recognized as houses of worship, and compulsory religious education continues. Our demands are clear: cemevis must be granted house of worship status, and Madımak must be turned into a museum of shame. Alevism is far too valuable to be placed on the bargaining table for positions or titles.”

Çelik also emphasized the importance of establishing a memorial park in Bornova for the victims of the Sivas Massacre and thanked Bornova Municipality for supporting the preservation of green spaces in Erzene Neighborhood.

“Our problems remain unsolved, solidarity must grow”
CHP Group Spokesperson Yağmur Yurdakul Özkan stressed the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in Turkey:
“As Alevis and progressives, we have grown up with a lifelong pursuit of justice. Today, people are struggling to meet even their most basic needs. Parents cannot provide food for their children, schools ask families for soap, yet the country’s leaders talk about going to the moon. In the face of this reality, justice is the most urgent need. We have fought for centuries and we will continue to fight.”

“Sharing the same table is meaningful”
İzmir Metropolitan Council Member Hazel Öztürk Işık highlighted the importance of the gathering:
“Being here today and sharing the same table is truly meaningful for us. I thank everyone who contributed to making this possible.”

Folk songs and hope for Çınar Baby
The event featured folk songs and traditional Alevi chants accompanied by saz. In addition, donations were collected for baby Çınar, who suffers from SMA, as part of an officially approved campaign.