e-Makalat Mezhep Araştırmaları Dergisi

Öz

Thanks to the efforts aimed at accurately understanding and conveying Alawism, the literature on the subject has reached a significant level of development. Since 1983, nearly 500 masters theses and doctoral dissertations have been written on Alawism, particularly in the fields of Theology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Sociology, Music, Political Science, History, and Law. Of these, 164 master's theses and 28 doctoral dissertations have been completed in the field of theology. Within the sub-discipline of the History of Islamic Sects, a total of 50 masters theses and 6 doctoral dissertations have been identified. Building upon this data, the present study focuses on the analysis of cem houses places of worship and community gathering that have been the subject of postgraduate research on Alawism within this specific field. In this context, a literature review was prioritized, and all relevant theses related to Alawism were identified. Utilizing indirect observation techniques, particularly document analysis, the works were examined chronologically. Subsequently, the cem houses mentioned in these theses were identified and evaluated with regard to their current religious, social, educational, and legal functions. Thus, drawing on academic studies completed within the field of the History of Islamic Sects, each cem house was examined individually and holistically, yielding important insights into their past, present, and potential future. Nevertheless, in order to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of these institutions, it has become evident that each cem house must be studied independently and documented in detail.