Erdoğan hosts iftar dinner for Alevi leaders in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Alevi community's leaders in a fast-breaking dinner on Friday in Istanbul.

Representatives of several NGOs working for Alevi communities across the country, including Remzi Akbulut, chairman of the Federation of Alevi Foundations, Anatolian Alevi Federation President Cengiz Hortoğlu and Fermani Altun, head of the World Ahl-i Beyt Foundation were invited to the breaking of the traditional Alevi Muharram fast.

Erdoğan listened to Alevi leaders, who emphasized that all elements of society need to be embraced in Turkey. They also stressed the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience at the meeting, which was held in Mabeyn Mansion, an Ottoman Pavilion in Istanbul.

President Erdoğan reiterated the importance of the month of Muharram in uniting all Muslims as a time of mourning and peace.

The Muharram fast is performed by the world's Muslims on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram to mourn the death of Husain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad during the battle of Karbala. It is the most significant day of the year for the Shiites and Alevis. They organize many programs to commemorate and mourn the death of Husain, son of Imam Ali, their spiritual leader.