Iraqi Bektashi’s Turkey Visit

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The Bektashi who had a rooted history in Iraq but could not raise their voice until 2003 engaged in an attempt to find their identity again after the US invasion in Iraq. Iraqi Bektashis who have set the creation of an institutional structure as an objective since 2010 launched an initiative to establish a federation where Kakaes and Shabaks came together under the leadership of Turkmens. Despite this, the instability and lack of trust in Iraq, ISIS influence in Iraq and the problems faced by Iraqi government have constituted challenges for Iraqi Bektashis who live in different geographies and cannot ensure geographic integrity in this sense.

Indeed, Iraqi Bektashis participate in the in the International Memorial Celebrations for Haji Bektash Veli and Cultural Activities held in Hacıbektaş, Nevşehir every year in August and try to publicize themselves. Within this context, Iraqi Bektashis who visited Turkey 6 times in 2009-2015 in coordination with ORSAM could not come to Turkey only due to the ISIS operations in June 2014.

A 10-person Iraqi Bektashi delegation including Turkmens, Shabaks and Kakaes visited Turkey on 15-18 August 2016 (as in 2015) for a three-day program in cooperation with ORSAM and Turkish Prime Ministry Coordinating Office of Public Diplomacy in order to participate in the 53rd National and 27th International Memorial Celebrations for Haji Bektash Veli and Cultural Activities. Iraqi Bektashis who took part in the celebrations in Hacıbektaş, Nevşehir attended later a dinner in Ankara under the auspices of Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş, together with the delegation of Bektashi World Center in Albania. In his message to the Bektashi at dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş first indicated that the Muslim world would overcome the internal problems in unity and peace and there would be no concept of "you-me" in Islam. Kurtulmuş also added: “We will therefore construct the great Islamic civilization. In this sense, we need to build much closer relations. We consider our brothers and sisters from Alevi-Bektashi tradition as an enriching component in the Balkans, the Middle East, Central Asia and the entire Islamic world and we believe that this culture is one of the mainstream views of the great Islamic civilization. We know that we have everything in common. We see this as our wealth. The most important answer to the enemies of this geography is hopefully our brotherhood. We are brothers and sisters in the religion and we will enhance this brotherhood as those who have a common geography, common fate, common past and even common future.” Kurtulmuş clearly stated that the traditions which did not discriminate Muslims from each other kept their doors open for everyone. The Bektashi indicated that they were pleased to see Turkey's doors open for themselves and underlined the unity and integrity of Turkish people against the military coup attempt on 15 July.

Furthermore, Iraqi Bektashis participated in a meeting at ORSAM. In the ORSAM meeting that Prof. Dr. Mahir Nakip also attended, Iraqi Bektashis' visit was discussed as well as the Bektashi tradition in the Central Asia and Anatolia, the recent situation in Iraq and the problems faced by Iraqi Bektashis.

Iraqi Bektashis who visited Turkey were also welcome in a working dinner held by the Deputy Directorate General for Relations with Iraq. Within the scope of this program, Iraqi Bektashis' situation and their expectations from Turkey were discussed as well as the recent developments in Iraq.