Seyit Derviş Tur (born 1936 in Erzincan) is an Alevi dede (spiritual guide) of the Babamansur Ocak lineage, an author and one of the founders of the first Alevi federation in Germany, the forerunner of today’s Alevi community organisation (AABF). He served as its first chairman (1990–1993) and founded its Council of Dedes.
This English section presents his writings on Alevism – the Alevi faith, its rites (Erkân), the Twelve Imams, the great Alevi poets and the history of Alevi self-organisation in Europe – translated from the original Turkish texts.
Start here: About Seyit Derviş Tur
All articles in English
Foundations of Alevism
- What is Alevism? Faith, History and Core Values
- Islam and the Alevi Faith: Ehl-i Beyt, Mysticism and the Qur’an
- The Meaning of the Word Islam and its Corruption – an Alevi View
- What Does Kızılbaş Mean? Who Is Called an Alevi?
- Women in Alevism: Their Place and Equality in the Light of the Quran
- The Fourteen Pure Innocents (On Dört Masum-u Pak) and the Seventeen Kemerbest
- The Four Gates and Forty Stations in the Alevi Faith
- Ikrar – the Alevi Vow: its Meaning and Origins
- Hızır İlyas – as Described by Scholars Around the World
Rites and Festivals (Erkân)
- What is a Cem? The Alevi Worship Ceremony and its 12 Services
- What is the Semah? The Sacred Alevi Ritual Dance and its Hymns
- Musahiplik: The Alevi Spiritual Kinship – Origin and How to Become a Musahip
- The Görgü Cem: The Alevi Rite of Accountability Explained
- Düşkünlük: Excommunication in Alevism – Rite and Penalties
- The Alevi Marriage Rite (Nikâh) and the Marriage Prayer
- Alevi Funeral Rites: Washing, Shroud, Forgiveness and Funeral Prayer
- Nevruz among the Alevis: Meaning and Celebrations
- Kurban Bayramı: The Feast of Sacrifice and the Meaning of Sacrifice in Alevism
- Imam Ali, the Month of Muharram and the Sanctity of the Muharram Fast
The Twelve Imams and History
- The Twelve Imams of the Alevis – Names, Epithets and Lives
- Imam Ali – Life, Caliphate, Martyrdom and the Decree to Malik al-Ashtar
- Imam Hasan – Ahl al-Bayt, Caliphate and Martyrdom
- Imam Husayn – His Life and Martyrdom at Karbala
- Imam Zayn al-Abidin – Karbala, Damascus and His Life
- Imam Muhammad al-Baqir – Life, Sayings and Testament
- Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (Cafer-i Sadık) – Life, Works and the Alevi Path
- Imam Musa al-Kazim – Life, Harun al-Rashid and Martyrdom
- Imam Reza – Life, al-Ma’mun’s Succession Game and Martyrdom
- Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (al-Jawad) – Life and Martyrdom
- Imam Ali al-Naqi (al-Hadi) – Life and the Samarra Years
- Imam Hasan al-Askari – Life, Imprisonment and Martyrdom
- Who is Imam al-Mahdi? Birth, Minor and Major Occultation
- The Tragedy of Karbala – An Abridged Account
- The Farewell Pilgrimage and Ghadir Khumm – the First Spark of Division in Islam
The Seven Great Poets
- The Seven Great Poets (Yedi Ulu Ozan) of the Alevis
- Seyyid Nesimi – Life, Hurufism and Poems
- Shah İsmail Hatayi – Life, the Ardabil Dergâh and Nefes
- Fuzuli – Life, Love for Karbala and Works
- Yemini – Life, Faziletname and Poems of the Alevi Poet
- Virani (Viran Abdal) – Life, Hurufism and Poems
- Pir Sultan Abdal – Life, Hızır Paşa, Execution and Poems
- Kul Himmet – Life and Deyiş of the Alevi Poet
- Noksani Baba – Life and Deyiş of the Alevi Poet
Seyit Derviş Tur: Life and Work
- Seyit Derviş Tur – Biography of the Alevi Dede and Author
- Life Story of Seyit Derviş Tur – An Alevi Dede’s Autobiography
- Books by Seyit Derviş Tur – Erkânname and Other Works
- Erkânname – The Alevi Interpretation of Islam and the Alevi Rites
- The First Alevi Organisation in Europe – History and Memoirs
- Arzuhâl – A Petition to the Creator: Book by Seyit Derviş Tur
- Alevi İslam Şaha Giden Yol – A Book on Alevi Islam
- The Shrine of Imam Reza – A Visit and Memories of Iran
- Seyit Derviş Tur in the Press, Media and Research
- Videos – Seyit Derviş Tur Dede on TV and in Ritual
- Contact – Seyit Derviş Tur
Turkish main site: kemter-dervis.com · Deutsch: Deutscher Bereich