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Are there atheists in Arab countries?
Background. In the World Values Survey conducted from 2010 to 2014, results show that in Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq fewer than 0.5\% of those surveyed self-defined themselves as atheists; meanwhile, the highest percentage of self-defined atheists within the Middle East was in Kuwait, at 0.8\%.
What is Turkish Alevi?
Alevi is a religious group in Turkey, not to be confused with Alewites in Syria. They are followers of Ali, the brother-in-law of Prophet Muhammed. Alevi is a mystical belief that is rooted in Islam and Sufism with some traditions of Christianity and Shamanism.
Does Alevis believe Quran?
Unlike Sunnis and Shia, Alevis do not regard interpretations of the Quran today as binding or infallible, since the true meaning the Quran is considered to be taken as a secret by Ali and must be taught by a teacher, who transmits the teachings of Ali (Buyruk) to his disciple.
What percent of Turkey is Alevi?
A lesser known minority is the Alevi community. Numbering about 15 million persons, the Alevis account for some 25 percent of Turkey’s population and constitute the country’s second largest religious community, after the Sunnis.
Do Alevis visit mosques?
The Sunni faith also differs from Alevism in the following ways: (1) Alevis fast during the Ten Days of Muharram and not during Ramadan (World Directories of Minorities 1997, 380); (2) Alevis do not prostrate themselves during prayer (ibid.); (3) Alevis do not go to mosques, but use cemevleri that are also used as …
Are Alevis Sunni or Shia?
Alevis follow a belief system that incorporates aspects of both Shi’a and Sunni Islam and draws on the traditions of other religions found in Anatolia as well. Alevis in Central Anatolia base their beliefs on 12er Shi’ism.
Can Alevi eat pork?
Alevi people represent a marginalized and persecuted faction of the Turkish population. It differs from Sunni islam in that Alevis don’t have the same restrictions, for instance against drinking alcohol and eating pork. So there are no strict rules in this belief, and traditions are passed on through oral tradition.