Sivas massacre
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Otel Madımak in Sivas, site of the Alevi massacre on 2 July 1993

Part of a series on Twelver Shi'a Islam Alevism

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Beliefs Haqq-Ali-Muhammad Four Doors · Insan-i Kamil The Qur'an · The Buyruk Wahdat-ul-Wujood Zahir · Batin

Practices Fasting · Semah · Music Charity · Intercession · Taqiyya Dushkunluk Meydani

Leadership Dedes · Murshid · Pir Rehber · Darga · Jem Cem Evi · Babas

Festivals Nowruz · Ashura Hindrellez

Groups Bektashi · Kizilbash · Çinari

Events Sivas Massacre

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The Sivas massacre (Turkish: Sivas Madımak Olayı or Sivas Katliamı) refers to the events of July 2, 1993 which resulted in the deaths of 37 Alevi intellectuals. The victims, who had gathered for a cultural festival in Sivas, Turkey, were killed when a mob of radical Islamists set fire to the hotel where the group had assembled.

Arson attack

The attack took place not long after traditional Friday prayers, when the mob broke through police barricades to surround the Otel Madımak, where artists, writers and musicians had gathered to celebate 16th century Alevi poet Pir Sultan Abdal. Reportedly angered by the presence of Aziz Nesin, a writer who had translated and published extracts from Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, the enraged fundamentalists surrounded the hotel, shouting "Death to the infidel!"¹ and threatening the assembled artists with lynching.² The hotel was set alight, and the fire claimed 37 lives, including those of musicians, poets, tourists and hotel staff, while assembled police did nothing to intervene.³ Aziz Nesin was able to escape only because attackers initially failed to recognize him. According to reports, when rescuers eventually realized his identity, he was beaten by firemen while a city councilman shouted, "This is the devil we should have really killed."¹

Aftermath

The event was seen as a major assault on free speech and human rights in Turkey, one which seriously deepened the rift between religious and secular segments of society.

After lengthy court proceedings, the State Security Court sentenced 33 people to death on 28 November 1997 for their roles in the massacre; 31 of these sentences were upheld in a 2001 appeal.⁴ When Turkey overturned the death penalty just over a year later in 2002, the sentences were commuted to life in prison.

Each year on the anniversary of the massacre, demonstrators hold protests and vigils to commemorate the victims of the fire.⁵ Many wish to see the hotel, which has since re-opened, declared a memorial and turned into a museum.⁶ The Turkish government has so far rejected this proposal.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Onaran, Yalman (November/December 1994). "Burned: An Author Charged with Inciting a Crowd to Kill Him". Columbia Journalism Review XXXIII (4): 16, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_/ai_n8726563. Retrieved on 17 April 2008. 
2. ^ "40 Killed in a Turkish Hotel Set Afire by Muslim Militants", New York Times, 3 July 1993. Accessed 20 January 2008.
3. ^ Kinzer, Stephen. Crescent & Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 64. 
4. ^ Frantz, D. "Turkey's Choice: European Union or the Death Penalty" New York Times, 30 May 2001. Accessed 21 January 2008.
5. ^ "Turkey commemorates 15th anniversary of Sivas massacre", Hurriyet (2008-07-02). Retrieved on 2 July 2008. 
6. ^ "Thousands gather in Sivas to commemorate Madimak Massacre", Turkish Daily News, The Financial Times Limited (2007-07-03). Retrieved on 17 April 2008. 

External links

• A selection of TV scenes about the event