A retired manufacturer and head of an Alevi association Muzaffer Aksakal, 65, poses in his association's cafe in Istanbul, Turkey April 10, 2017. Aksakal describes himself as being "socialist and secular". He says he will vote 'No' in the referendum. "If the 'Yes' wins, parliament will be useless and the right to declare war or peace will be in the hands of a single man." Aksakal belongs to the Alevi religious minority, which make up about 15-20 percent of Turkey's 80 million people. Alevis draw from Shi'ite, Sufi and Anatolian folk traditions and practice distinct rituals which can put them at odds with their Sunni Muslim counterparts, many of whom accuse them of heresy. "Erdogan government always follows racist politics. Alevis are under pressure. The system ignores the Alevis." REUTERS/Umit Bektas SEARCH "VOXPOPS UMIT" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.?

People set up makeshift barricades to block entrance of the cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Gazi neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey, July 27, 2015. Turkey attacked Kurdish insurgent camps in Iraq for a second night on Sunday, security sources said, in a campaign that could end its peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Ankara, which called for a special NATO meeting on Tuesday to discuss its security concerns, said two soldiers were killed and four wounded in an earlier attack by PKK militants. The renewed conflict has sparked protests in parts of Istanbul as well as the southeast. A police officer was killed in clashes in the city's volatile Gazi district on Sunday, the third day of violence there following the death of a leftist activist during police raids on suspected militants.The renewed conflict has sparked protests in parts of Istanbul as well as the southeast. A police officer was killed in clashes in the city's volatile Gazi district on Sunday, the third day of violence there following the death of a leftist activist during police raids on suspected militants. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Armed men escort the coffins of victims who were killed in Monday's bomb attack in Suruc, as they arrive at Gazi Cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 21, 2015. Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejected accusations Turkey had in the past tacitly supported Islamic State militants operating from Syria and unwittingly opened the door to a suicide bombing that killed at least 32 people. The blast on Monday tore through a group of university-aged students from an activist group as they gathered in the border town of Suruc ahead of a planned trip to help rebuild the nearby Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir

Relatives of Ismet Seker, a victim who was killed in Monday's bomb attack in Suruc, mourn over his coffin at Gazi Cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 21, 2015. Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejected accusations Turkey had in the past tacitly supported Islamic State militants operating from Syria and unwittingly opened the door to a suicide bombing that killed at least 32 people. The blast on Monday tore through a group of university-aged students from an activist group as they gathered in the border town of Suruc ahead of a planned trip to help rebuild the nearby Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir

Armed men escort the coffins of victims who were killed in Monday's bomb attack in Suruc, as they arrive at Gazi Cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 21, 2015. Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejected accusations Turkey had in the past tacitly supported Islamic State militants operating from Syria and unwittingly opened the door to a suicide bombing that killed at least 32 people. The blast on Monday tore through a group of university-aged students from an activist group as they gathered in the border town of Suruc ahead of a planned trip to help rebuild the nearby Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir

Alevi demonstrators shout anti-goverment slogans during a protest against the latest violence in Okmeydani, a working-class district in the center of the city, in Istanbul May 25, 2014. Two people died last week after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in Okmeydani, a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. Okmeydani is home to a community of Alevis, a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's socially conservative, Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Alevi demonstrators shout anti-goverment slogans during a protests against the latest violence in Okmeydani, a working-class district in the center of the city, in Istanbul May 25, 2014. Two people died last week after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in Okmeydani, a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. Okmeydani is home to a community of Alevis, a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's socially conservative, Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners march during the funeral ceremony of Ugur Kurt near the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. Kurt, a bystander who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: OBITUARY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners wait for the funeral ceremony of Ugur Kurt in the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. Kurt, a bystander who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: OBITUARY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

The coffin of Ugur Kurt is carried by his relatives and friends during a funeral ceremony at the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. Ugur Kurt, a bystander who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST OBITUARY)

The coffin of Ugur Kurt is carried by his relatives and friends during a funeral ceremony at the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. Ugur Kurt, a bystander who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST OBITUARY)

Flowers are laid at the place where Ugur Kurt was shot dead in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. A bystander, Ugur Kurt, who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS OBITUARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

People react when they realize plainclothes police officers are around as they wait for the funeral ceremony of Ugur Kurt in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. A bystander, Ugur Kurt, who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS OBITUARY)

Women wait for the funeral ceremony of Ugur Kurt in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul May 23, 2014. Kurt, a bystander who was attending a relative's funeral, was shot in the head apparently by a stray bullet as the violence flared on Thursday. A second person died on Friday after clashes between Turkish police and protesters in a working-class district of Istanbul, stirring fears of further unrest as the anniversary of last year's anti-government demonstrations approaches. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Tens of thousands of mourners, many chanting anti-government slogans, gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a teenager wounded in street protests last summer whose death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Tens of thousands of mourners, many chanting anti-government slogans, gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a teenager wounded in street protests last summer whose death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Tens of thousands of mourners, many chanting anti-government slogans, gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a teenager wounded in street protests last summer whose death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Tens of thousands of mourners, many chanting anti-government slogans, gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a teenager wounded in street protests last summer whose death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Mourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan during funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners gather for the funeral ceremony of Berkin Elvan in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry posters of Berkin Elvan as they wait for his funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Mourners carry posters of Berkin Elvan as they wait for his funeral ceremony in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Women shout anti-government slogans as they wait for the funeral ceremony of Berkin Elvan in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Women shout anti-government slogans as they wait for the funeral ceremony of Berkin Elvan in Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 12, 2014. Several thousand mourners gathered in central Istanbul on Wednesday for the funeral of Elvan, a 15-year-old boy wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer whose death on Tuesday triggered protests across Turkey. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Berkin Elvan's sister Ozge (R window panel) reacts as his coffin arrives at the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 11, 2014. Police and protesters clashed in Turkey's two biggest cities on Tuesday following the death of the 15-year-old boy who suffered a head injury during anti-government demonstrations last summer. Elvan, then aged 14, got caught up in street battles in Istanbul between police and protesters on June 16 after going out to buy bread for his family. He was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister and went into a coma. Alevis are a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Berkin Elvan's mother Gulsum (R window panel) and sister Ozge (C window panel) react as his coffin arrives at the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 11, 2014. Police and protesters clashed in Turkey's two biggest cities on Tuesday following the death of the 15-year-old boy who suffered a head injury during anti-government demonstrations last summer. Elvan, then aged 14, got caught up in street battles in Istanbul between police and protesters on June 16 after going out to buy bread for his family. He was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister and went into a coma. Alevis are a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Berkin Elvan's mother Gulsum (R) and sister Ozge (L) react as his coffin approaches the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 11, 2014. Police and protesters clashed in Turkey's two biggest cities on Tuesday following the death of the 15-year-old boy who suffered a head injury during anti-government demonstrations last summer. Elvan, then aged 14, got caught up in street battles in Istanbul between police and protesters on June 16 after going out to buy bread for his family. He was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister and went into a coma. Alevis are a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Berkin Elvan's sister Ozge (C) reacts as his coffin approaches the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in Istanbul March 11, 2014. Police and protesters clashed in Turkey's two biggest cities on Tuesday following the death of the 15-year-old boy who suffered a head injury during anti-government demonstrations last summer. Elvan, then aged 14, got caught up in street battles in Istanbul between police and protesters on June 16 after going out to buy bread for his family. He was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister and went into a coma. Alevis are a religious minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Turkey who espouse a liberal version of Islam and have often been at odds with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted government. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Anti-government Alevi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul June 23, 2013. The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara's already slim hopes of joining the bloc and damage its relations with Brussels. Germany, the EU's biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey's EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last few weeks, EU sources say. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Anti-government Alevi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul June 23, 2013. The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara's already slim hopes of joining the bloc and damage its relations with Brussels. Germany, the EU's biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey's EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last few weeks, EU sources say. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Anti-government Alevi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul June 23, 2013. The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara's already slim hopes of joining the bloc and damage its relations with Brussels. Germany, the EU's biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey's EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last few weeks, EU sources say. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Thousands of Alevi faithful from several European countries demonstrate to demand equality and respect of human rights from the leaders of Turkey as they gather in Strasbourg, October 20th, 2012. Placard (L) reads, 'Peace for All People'. REUTERS/Jean Marc Loos (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

A woman, one of thousands of Alevi faithful from several European countries, demonstrates to demand equality and respect of human rights from the leaders of Turkey as they gather in Strasbourg, October 20th, 2012. Placard reads, 'Hotel Madimak Sivas - Crime Against Humanity' in reference to a 1993 event in the city of Sivas where thirty-seven Alevis were killed by a mob after Friday prayers. REUTERS/Jean Marc Loos (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

Thousands of Alevi faithful from several European countries demonstrate to demand equality and respect of human rights from the leaders of Turkey as they gather in Strasbourg, October 20th, 2012. Placard (R) reads, 'Peace for All People'. REUTERS/Jean Marc Loos (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

Thousands of Alevi faithful from several European countries demonstrate to demand equality and respect of human rights from the leaders of Turkey as they gather in Strasbourg, October 20th, 2012. Placard (L) reads, 'Liberty of Worship to Alevis'. REUTERS/Jean Marc Loos (FRANCE - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

A protester holds a banner reading "we are alevi" as he and many others wait to hear the decision of the court in front of a courthouse in Ankara March 13, 2012. Turkish police fired tear-gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds protesting on Tuesday against the dropping of a case against five people charged with killing 37 writers and liberals in a 1993 hotel fire set off by Islamist rioters.The opposition accused Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his AK Party, which emerged from a series of banned Islamist parties of being responsible for the failure to find the five.The case against two others charged with the kilings was dropped as the accused had died. One of them, the prime suspect who was the local mayor from the same party to which Erdogan belonged, passed away last year, close to the scene of the fire. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Ali Ertan Toprak (L) of the German Alevi Community talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after a news conference after an integration summit at the Chancellery in Berlin, January 31, 2012. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R), Ali Ertan Toprak of the German Alevi Community (2nd L) and Mijo Maric, head of the Croatian World Congress in Germany, attend a news conference after an integration summit at the Chancellery in Berlin, January 31, 2012. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R), Immigration Commissioner Maria Boehmer (L) and Ali Ertan Toprak of the German Alevi Community attend a news conference after an integration summit at the Chancellery in Berlin, January 31, 2012. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS)

Ali Ertan Toprak, member of the Alevi community in Germany attends a summit against right-wing extremism in Berlin, January 24, 2012. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION HEADSHOT)

Alevi women attach ribbons to the fences of a tomb for their wishes to come true in central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Turkish Alevis rest in a park as they visit the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Dancers perfom Semah, a folkloric Alevi dance, in central Anatolian town of Hacibektas August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteen century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Dancers perfom Semah, a folkloric Alevi dance, in central Anatolian town of Hacibektas August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteen century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

An Alevi man tries to get out from a narrow cave hole which is believed that only believers without any sins could pass through, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

An Alevi woman tries to get out from a narrow cave hole which is believed that only believers without any sins could pass through, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage of communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

An Alevi woman tries to get out from a narrow cave hole which is believed that only believers without any sins could pass through, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009, as others wait in line. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center for pilgrimage of communities which follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Turkish Alevi people visit the tomb of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth century Bektashi dervish, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Turkish Alevi people visit the tomb of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth century Bektashi dervish, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

An Alevi woman tries to get out from a narrow cave hole which is believed that only believers without any sins could pass through, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009, as others wait in line. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth-century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

An Alevi man tries to get out from a narrow cave hole which is believed that only believers without any sins could pass through, in the central Anatolian town of Hacibektas, August 15, 2009, as others wait in line. Tens of thousands of Alevis visit Hacibektas, a sacred center for Alewite Islam and a center of pilgrimage for communities who follow the teachings of Haci Bektas Veli, a thirteenth-century Bektashi dervish. Picture taken August 15, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY SOCIETY RELIGION)

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrives for a ceremony in Ankara December 1, 2008. The Islamist-rooted government of Erdogan has expanded some minority rights in recent years as part of Turkey's bid to join the EU and has pledged to protect the rights of Alevis in officially secular Turkey. Critics say reforms have slowed amid rising nationalism and what they call Sunni discrimination towards non-Sunni brands of Islam and towards Christians. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

Members of Turkey's Alevi community attend a rally in Ankara November 9, 2008. Thousands of Turkish Alevis marched in Ankara on Sunday in their first massive demonstration to call for an end to discrimination by the government and compulsory religious classes. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

Turkey's Alevis attend a rally in Ankara November 9, 2008. Thousands of Turkish Alevis marched in Ankara on Sunday in their first massive demonstration to call for an end to discrimination by the government and compulsory religious classes. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

An Alevi man holds a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a rally in Ankara November 9, 2008. Thousands of Turkish Alevis marched in Ankara on Sunday in their first massive demonstration to call for an end to discrimination by the government and compulsory religious classes. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

An Alevi man holds a Turkish national flag, with a portrait of Ataturk on it, during a rally in Ankara November 9, 2008. Thousands of Turkish Alevis marched in Ankara on Sunday in their first massive demonstration to call for an end to discrimination by the government and compulsory religious classes. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

Turkish Alevis make v-signs, hold national flags and portraits of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Hadrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed, during a rally in Ankara November 9, 2008. Thousands of Turkish Alevis marched in Ankara on Sunday in their first massive demonstration to call for an end to discrimination by the government and compulsory religious classes. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY)

Alevis dance during a prayer in a Cem house in Istanbul April 3, 2008. A court struggle to end mandatory religious instruction in Turkish schools has united Turkey's largest religious minority Alevis and has called into question the ruling AK Party's democratic commitments. Picture taken on April 3, 2008. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY) BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE