Very informative

Reader comment on: Alawites in Syria and Alevis in Turkey: Crucial Differences

Submitted by Farid Ghadry, Aug 17, 2012 11:28

This is an excellent article that highlights the common differences well.

The religious-centric Alevis supported by their "cems" may be the focal component. When a community is connected through peaceful spirituality, it holds itself accountable for its actions. The Alawites of Syria hold themselves accountable, but to a figure long gone and some Koranic sermons. The connectivity of their own community is rooted in individual behavior and interpretation rather than the cooperative approach Alevis practice. This may also explain why their women have no voice.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. This site reserves the right to reject anything found to be objectionable.

Submit a comment on this article

Comment on this item

Change text size:

The New, Improved Axis of Jihad

by Clare M. Lopez

Two years into the seismic shift that brought the forces of Islamic jihad and Sharia law to power in country after country in the Middle East and North Africa -- with the astonishing and extensive assistance from the U.S. -- Iran, Hizballah and al-Qa'eda apparently judge that the U.S. and its Western allies still need another nudge to ensure their complete retreat from "Muslim" lands. That nudge, according to independent, reliable and mutually-corroborating sources, has now been prepared by this Axis.

Swedish Multiculturalism Goes Awry

by Soeren Kern

"Sweden is the best Islamic State." — Adly Abu Hajar, Imam based in Malmö

Why Doesn't the EU Condemn Palestinian Torture?

by Khaled Abu Toameh

More than half the 306 complaints about torture last year came from Palestinians who had been detained or imprisoned by Abbas's security forces in the West Bank; 11 detainees died in Palestinian Authority and Hamas prisons according to a report by the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights.

Who is Really Desecrating Holy Sites?

by Khaled Abu Toameh

The ultimate goal is to turn the conflict into a religious war between Jews and Muslims. If anyone is desecrating the holy site, it is those who smuggle petrol bombs and stones into the compound to use them against visitors.

A Woman's Voice at the Mosque

by Raheel Raza

Most of all, we have to use reason and logic and broaden the use of ijtihad – individual reasoning in religious affairs.

Title	By	Date
Warmongers vs. Peace-mongers [61 words]	Warmonger	Dec 12, 2012 08:05
Pretty accurate [89 words]	JGibbs	Sep 9, 2012 05:49
Nusayris/Alevis are secular yet supported by Iran; why is the US opposing this? [196 words]	Juninho	Aug 22, 2012 17:20
You are ignoring facts and downplaying huge commonalities [336 words]	Kossaki	Aug 18, 2012 03:04
↔ Response to comments [219 words]	Stephen Suleyman Schwartz	Aug 23, 2012 12:59
Please be careful of overgeneralizing [93 words]	Kzndr	Aug 17, 2012 16:37
If I were an Alawite [30 words]	Jacob	Aug 17, 2012 16:05
⇒ Very informative [85 words]	Farid Ghadry	Aug 17, 2012 11:28