View source for Cemevi

{{confusing|date=February 2020}}
{{short description|Place of worship of the Alevi}}
{{Alevism|Leadership}}

A '''cemevi''' or '''cem evi''' (pronounced and sometimes written as '''djemevi'''; meaning literally "a house of gathering" in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]) is a place of fundamental importance for [[Turkey]]'s [[Alevi]]-[[Bektashiyyah]] [[tariqa]] populations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andersen |first=Angela |date=27 April 2023 |title=Cemevi |url=https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/khamseen/terms/2023/cemevi/ |website=Khamseen: Islamic Art History Online}}</ref> Certain Alevi organizations describe cemevis as places of [[worship]], and ask for this to be officially recognized. However, the [[Directorate of Religious Affairs]] of Turkey does not recognise cemevis as Muslim places of worship, and only recognises [[Sunni]] and [[Ja'fari]]-[[Shi’ite]] [[mosque]]s.<ref>[https://archive.today/20121221170600/http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/turkish/dy/Diyanet-Isleri-Baskanligi-Duyuru-355.aspx Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, press release (Turkish)]</ref>

==A place of gathering for Bektash’īyyah tariqa==
[[File:Şahkulu Sultan Dergahi Cemevi, ein sehr altes Gebetshaus.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the historical ''[[Şahkulu]] Sultan Dergahi Cemevi'' in [[Kadıköy]], [[Istanbul]].]]
{{Main|Jem (Alevism)|Bektashism|Tasawwuf|Bektashiyyah|Tariqat|Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli}}  
It is primarily considered a place of assembly ('''[[Jem (Alevism)|Cem]]'''; pronounced ''djam'', from Arabic الجمع, al-jamʕ). Historically, the [[Jem (Alevism)|cems]] were usually held outdoors, using candles and torches to light up the place of gathering when it got dark. Often, people from nearby places would come to a [[Jem (Alevism)|cem]] to have a collective meal. The participants would often bring along food, which they would then distribute during the meal. Nowadays, some of these customs are still preserved. Men and women conduct [[Jem (Alevism)|cem]] activities and rites together.

The structuring of cemevi as into their present characteristics and rites owes much to the [[Bektashi]] tradition within various historical currents of Turkey's Alevi culture. Urbanization of many [[Alevis]] also brought changes in the conception of [[Jem (Alevism)|cem]]. In larger towns in Turkey today, cemevi are multi functional buildings where a broad range of cultural activities take place. In [[Turkey]], it is always problematic for a cemevi to get off the ground, due to strict state interference in religious matters, and cases of [[discrimination]] against the [[Alevis]], which results in the founding of each cemevi acquiring political dimensions and necessitating case-by-case [[lobbyism]].

The vast majority of [[Alevis]] consider themselves to be [[Muslims]], a view shared by the Turkish state. There is some disagreement as to whether Alevism should be considered a religious tradition at all. Some Alevis may describe it as a subethnic solidarity and/or cultural tradition. For those who recognize it as religious, they consider it a form of Islam (often, a branch of [[Shi'a|Shia'ism]]), while a few claim it to represent an independent, non-Islamic religion (a radical position held by relatively few adherents). Relations with Turkey's [[Sunni]] majority are difficult, though some dialogue has occurred. Besides historical or theological grievances, the issues often center around outbreaks of anti-Alevi violence, complaints of systematic discrimination, and official non-recognition of Alevi identity. The latter has resulted in attempts to assimilate Alevis into a Sunni-dominated Islam, e.g. through the construction of state-funded [[mosques]], or compulsory religious education which excludes or marginalizes Alevi practices and teachings.

[[Turkey]]'s Deputy Prime Minister [[Bekir Bozdağ]] indicated that a total of 329 cemevis have been established since their political party came to power on Nov. 3, 2002.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 January 2013 |title=329 cemevis established under AK Party, says Bozdağ |url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-303342-329-cemevis-established-under-ak-party-says-bozdag.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108074121/http://todayszaman.com/news-303342-329-cemevis-established-under-ak-party-says-bozdag.html |archivedate=8 January 2013 |accessdate=8 January 2013 |work=Today's Zaman}}</ref>

==Cemevi in Istanbul==
*Erikli Baba Cemevi ([[Zeytinburnu]])
*Firuzköy Cemevi ([[Avcılar, Istanbul|Avcılar]])
*Maltepe Cemevi ([[Maltepe, Istanbul|Maltepe]])
*Garip Dede Cemevi ([[Küçükçekmece]])
*Okmeydanı Cemevi ([[Okmeydanı]], [[Beyoğlu]])
*Gazi Cemevi (Gazi Mahallesi, [[Gaziosmanpaşa]])
*Sarıgazi Cemevi (Sarıgazi, [[Ümraniye]])
*[[Kartal Cemevi]] ([[Kartal]])
*Gürpınar Cemevi (Gürpınar, [[Büyükçekmece]])
*[[Şahkulu]] Sultan Cem Kültür Merkezi ([[Göztepe, Istanbul|Göztepe]], [[Kadıköy]])
*Haramidere Cemevi (Haramidere, [[Büyükçekmece]])
*Tuzla Aydınlıköy Cemevi ([[Tuzla, Istanbul|Tuzla]])
*[[Karacaahmet]] Cem Kültür Merkezi ([[Üsküdar]])
*Yenibosna Cemevi ([[Yenibosna]], [[Bahçelievler]])
*Bağcılar  Cemevi ([[Bağcılar]]/İstanbul)

==See also==
* [[Ashurkhana]]
* [[Jamatkhana]]
* [[Imambargah]]
* [[Khalwat al-Bayada|Khalwatkhana]]
* [[Khanaqa]]
* [[Mejlis]]
* [[Musallah]]
* [[Hussainia]]
* [[Tekkes]]
* [[Malamatiyya]]
* [[Mawlawiyyah]]
* [[Hurufiyya]]   
* [[Rifa'iyya]]
* [[Qadiriyya]]
* [[Galibi Order]]
* [[Qalandariyya]]
* [[Bektashiyyah]]
* [[Naqshbandiyyah]]
* [[Zahediyya]]
* [[Khalwatiyya]]
* [[Bayramiyya]] 
* [[Safaviyya]] 
* [[Nusayriyya]]
* [[Kızılbaş]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* Angela Andersen, “Cemevi,” ''Khamseen: Islamic Art History Online'', published 27 April 2023. https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/khamseen/terms/2023/cemevi/

[[Category:Alevism]]
[[Category:Islam in Turkey]]
[[Category:Culture of Turkey]]
[[Category:Turkish words and phrases]]
[[Category:Kurdish culture]]