According to two sources, 15 to 20 per cent of Turkey's Muslim population is Shi'i and are known as Alevis (Revolutionary and Dissident Movements 1991, 347; An Introduction to Shi'i Islam 1985, 272). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam states that Turkey does not differentiate between the various Shi'i sects but "lumps them all together as Alevi" (1985, 269). The rest of the population is Sunni, the majority of whom are Hanafis, except in the south-east, where the Shafi'i school predominates (Revolutionary and Dissident Movements 1991, 347).

According to the attachment from Encyclopedia of Religion, "The name Alawi (Turk., Alevi) is frequently also applied to other extremist Shi'i communities in Anatolia" (245). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam states that "the Arabic-speaking Alawi (Nusayri) community centred on the Mediterranean coast between Antakya and Mersin" is one of four main Shi'i groups in Turkey (1985, 269). However, according to the attachment from Contemporary Religions, Turkey's Alevis "are sometimes confused with the 'Alawis, some of whom are also found in Turkey, but the distinction remains clear if the latter are referred to by their other name, Nusayris" (1992, 81).

According to Contemporary Religions, Alevis venerate and attribute devinity to Ali, the nephew and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (1992, 81). This veneration has led to their classification as Shi'is, although the source continues to state that "...Nor do Alevis regard themselves as being Shi'ites. They are close to, if not indeed identical with the Qizilbash" (ibid.). Please consult the attachment from Contemporary Religions for information on the Qizilbash.

A list of Alevi prophets and/or imams could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

According to the Australian Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Alevis disrespect the fasting requirements of the month of Ramadan (Oct. 1993, 18). Contemporary Religions states that Alevis "reject the month of fasting at Ramadan replacing it with 12 days (in memory of the 12 Imams of the Twelvers, and generally observed during the month of Muharram when Twelvers [Ithna Asharis, Shi'is] commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala)" (1992, 81).

For information on how the Alevis differ from Sunnis, please see the attachments from the Australian Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS) and Contemporary Religions (pp. 81-82), the latter of which also provides information on Alevi rituals, beliefs and practices.

Please consult Responses to Information Requests TUR3576 of 11 January 1990 and TUR2382 of 5 October 1989 for more information on the Alevi religion. These Responses are available at Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the additional list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Contemporary Religions: A World Guide. 1992. Edited by Ian Harris et al. The High, Harlow, Essex: Longman Group UK.

The Encylcopedia of Islam. 1993. New ed. Vol. 8. Edited by C.E. Bosworth et al. Leiden: E.J. Brill.

The Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 1. Edited by Mircea Eliade. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company.

An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism. 1985. Moojan Momen. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. 3rd. ed. London: Longman Group UK.

Contemporary Religions: A World Guide. 1992. Edited by Ian Harris et al. The High, Harlow, Essex: Longman Group UK, pp. 81-82, 284-85.

The Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 1. Edited by Mircea Eliade. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, pp. 245-46.

An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism. 1985. Moojan Momen. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 269, 272.

Refugees, Immigration and Asylum Section (RIAS0, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [Parkes, ACT, Australia]. October 1993. Country Profile: Turkey, pp. 17-19.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements: An International Guide. 1991. 3rd. ed. London: Longman Group UK, p. 347.

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992.

The Europa World Year Book. Yearly. 1994.

Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects. 1988. Matti Moosa. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, pp. 382-97, 409-18.

Islam and Islamic Movements: A Worldwide Reference Guide. 1992.

News from Helsinki Watch. 1992 to present.

Religion in Politics: A World Guide. 1989.

World Directory of Minorities. 1991.