President Gül hosts dinner with Alevi leaders

ANKARA

Turkish President Abdullan Gül. AA Photo

President Abdullah Gül hosted a fast-breaking dinner for the Muharrem fast performed by the Alevi community Nov. 26.

Alevis enter a mourning period during the month of Muharrem to commemorate one of the leading figures in their faith, Imam Hüseyin. During this period they fast for 13 days, do not drink pure water and abstain from meat.

Religious Affairs Directorate head Mehmet Görmez; World Ehl-i Beyt Foundation head Fermani Altun; Alevi Associations Federation head Doğan Bermek; former parliamentary deputy Reha Çamuroğlu; Karacaahmet Sultan Solidarity Association head Muharrem Ercan; and Alevi Bektaşi Federation head Selahattin Özel, as well as representatives from the Alevi and Caferi (a Shiite sect of Islam) communities, attended to the dinner.