Religious landscape

The Valley also manoeuvres through changing religious landscape and practices. The neighbourhood of Gulensu-Gulsuyu is dominantly Bektashi Shia Alevis Muslim. The Alevis form 20-30 percent population of the Turkey. While the neighbourhoods of Kiptas, Cevilzi and Dragos Hill are Sunni Muslim. The gated communities are mainly occupied by upper middle class conservative muslim nuclear families. The relationship between Alevis and Sunnis has shared a frictional relationship over time. While a number of conservative Sunnis look at Alevis as heterodox, rebellious and immoral, the Alevis look at Sunnis as reactionary, fanatic and anti-democratic. The Alevi minority has witnessed number of incidents in the city which reflect the prejudice of the dominant religion. Sivas Massacre is stated as one of these example where a mob of 20,000 Sunnis attacked group of Alevis celebrating Nuwroz. The hotel which was site for the celebration was set on fire and 37 Alevis were killed during these attacks.