Alevi Identity

Tord Olsson, Elisabeth Ozdalga, Catharina Raudvere

'As no one with a serious interest in modern Turkey can afford to ignore the Alevi, this book, with its numerous illustrations, some in colour, will become essential reading. Its penetrating insights into a vibrant community facing profound challenges will help the reader understand what underpins the lives of millions of Alevis.' - J.D. Norton, British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

• Preface, Bektashi/K?z?lba?: Historical Bipartition and Its Consequences, On Bektashism in Bosnia, Anthropology and Ethnicity: The Place of Ethnography in the New Alevi Movement, Academic and Journalistic Publications on the Alevi and Bektashi of Turkey, The Function of Alevi-Bektashi Theology in Modern Turkey, Political Alevism versus Political Sunnism: Convergences and Divergences, Development and Reformulation of a Returnee Identity as Alevi, Alevi Revivalism in Turkey, State-Community Relations in the Restructuring of Alevism, Ottoman Modernisation and Sabetaism, A Critical Survey on Ahl-e Haqq Studies in Europe and Iran, Taq?ya or Civil Religion? Druze Religious Specialists in the Framework of the Lebanese Confessional State, The Druze Religious Will as a Political Instrument, Alevis in Turkey—Alawites in Syria: Similarities and Differences, The Gnosis of Mountaineers and Townspeople. The Religion of the Syrian Alawites or the Nusairis, Urban Visions and Religious Communities: Access and Visibility, Epilogue: The scripturalization of Ali-oriented religions., List of participants