Alians

The Alianen ( Bulgarian Алиани Aliani or Алевии Alewii ) are a Shiite Tariqa, similar to the Sufi Mevlevi, whose members live in different regions of Bulgaria. Since the Turkish- speaking Alianen with the Anatolian and East Thracian Alevis are denominational and have related them with ritual and substantive similarities, they are also known as Alevis or as " Amuca " ( Turkish " Amca ").

Religion

The Alianen ʿ Alī ibn Abī worship Taalib, son and first cousin of the Prophet Mohammed, which they regarded as an emanation of God.

Other Muslims consider Alianen because of their view on Imam Ali as heretical. The community forms a very closed society and hides their rituals. The Alianen attributable to the mysticism and believe in a personal communication with God through a trance state near. They practice - in contrast also to most other Sufi communities - not the traditional Islamic rituals, but use among other things, candles and wine.

History

The Community's exact origin is uncertain, because few records have survived from the early days of the Order, but according to the prevailing theory they settled in Bulgaria after the victory of the Ottoman Sultan Selim I in 1512 on the first Safavid Shah Ismail I., down. It is believed that Alianen were descendants of the Sufi Masters who came during the 15th century to the Balkans, to preserve the morale of the Ottoman troops and helping to integrate the conquered peoples into the Reich.

The Alianen refused to attend madrasas in the Ottoman Empire, since Sunni Islam has been taught. Consequently, they raised their children within the limits of their society and this led to the decline in their share in the population.

In Bulgaria Alianen mainly inhabit the villages Jablanowo and Malko Selo in the province Sliven; Sewar, Ostrowo Madrewo, Sveshtari, Biserzi and Lawino in the province Razgrad; Preslawci, Tschernik and Bradwari in Silistrien; and Mogilez and Bajatschewo in the province of Targovishte.

The Demir Baba Tekke - is since the 16th century, a sacred place of Alianen and other Islamic directions since Demir Baba, a famous dervish, who lived in the 16th century, is buried here in Northeastern Bulgaria. The Tekke Otman Baba, which is located in the region of Haskovo in the village Teketo is also a holy place of Alianen.