The AK Party reacts strongly to Özel's statement about "cemevi": We consider this characterization as hate speech.

14.12.2025 14:25

AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik responded to CHP leader Özel's remarks, stating, "They connected cemevis to the Ministry of Culture because they say the logic of the AK Party is that of a cemevi, a place of entertainment. It should be under the Directorate of Religious Affairs." Çelik said, "These words are a political slander. We consider such ugly accusations against our Alevi brothers and sisters as hate speech and we completely reject them."

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel recently made striking statements during a live broadcast on İlke TV. Özel said, "The logic of the AK Party is that they connected cemevis to the Ministry of Culture because they call them 'Cemevi, Cümbüş Evi'. It should be under the Diyanet. The Diyanet should not be for Sunnis only; since 99% of the population is Muslim, 99% of the budget should be spent on Muslims. The budget should be allocated to Sunnis in proportion to their population, and to Alevis in proportion to their population. We advocate for all cemevis to be recognized as places of worship. There should be a department for Alevis, a department for Sunnis, a structure related to Islam, and every religion should have the right to use the budget in proportion to their population," he stated.

"THIS IS A POLITICAL SLANDER"

While CHP leader Özel's words resonated widely in the public, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik quickly responded to these claims. In a post on his social media account, AK Party Spokesperson Çelik stated, "CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's statement that 'they connected cemevis to the Ministry of Culture because they call them 'cemevi, cümbüş evi' is a political slander. We consider such ugly accusations against our Alevi citizens as hate speech and categorically reject them."

"OUR PARTY CANNOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE UGLY WORDS"

Our party cannot be associated with these ugly and inappropriate words. Such political slanders have nothing to do with opposition. It is very sad that the values of our Alevi citizens are mentioned in this way to slander our party with 'lying politics'. Everyone should engage in responsible politics.

"NO ONE CAN CAST A SHADOW ON THIS DEEP FRIENDSHIP"

The values of our citizens should never be made a subject of political polemics. No one can cast a shadow on the deep and rooted friendship between our President, our AK Party, and our Alevi citizens. Again, the CHP's labeling our government as 'un-national' yesterday is entirely illegitimate. We are in a period where 'national strategies' have been institutionalized in our state life in the strongest way since we entered multi-party life. The 'domestic and national self-confidence revolution' carried out by our President continues to produce national results that all power centers in the world are closely following," he added.