British Alevi Federation hails new boundaries for teaching faith in primary school classes
Children and teachers were reported as being astonished by Alevi beliefs and culture
CLASSES IN ALEVISM are being held in increasing numbers in schools across Britain.
The latest addition was Picknalls First School in the Staffordshire village of Uttoexter, where there are just two Alevi pupils.
İsrafil Erbil, the head of the British Alevi Federation, was invited alongside directors Zeynep Demir, Haydar Yılmaz and Ali Sağ and educator Hasan Bölücek to the school, which has started to teach some lessons on the subject.
The BAF team reported children and teachers alike being astonished by Alevi beliefs and culture.
Musa Arı, aged 7, and his sister Nehir, 5, were particularly delighted.
Their father, Erdal Arı, said during the presentation: “It is very important to us that our children are raised without an identity vacuum.”
His wife, Özlem Arı, added: “I had always wondered why our faith is not among those that are taught at schools that often teach religions that have no pupil or teacher followers.
“I would like to thank the administrators of the BAF and the teachers for their support.”
Mr Erbil said his federation was working hard to encourage every primary and secondary school in Britain to start Alevism clases.
“The Pir Sultans of the future will develop from the age of six and be equipped with Alevism, so that we can become a self-confident community.
“That is why Alevism classes must be included in the Religious Studies calss curriculum. All families should apply to their children’s schools and to BAF directors, or to their nearest Alevi Cultural Centre.”
