Leaders praise Alevi mystic in Haci Bektas

President Abdullah Gul and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu have praised Alevi mystic Haci Bektas Veli, indicating that his philosophy still brings light to humanity. "Haci Bektas Veli, who made a great contribution to unity and solidarity in Anatolia, advised sympathy, respect, kindness, justice, fraternity, honesty, forgiveness and sedulity. His philosophy and ideas, which are still valid even though centuries have passed, will shed light on humanity," Gul said in his message to the Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremony in Nevsehir. Speaking at the ceremony, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said Haci Bektas Veli was a community leader who erased the despair and helplessness in Anatolia in 13th century caused by the Crusades and Mongol attacks. Kilicdaroglu said people in this region are desperate and helpless like in the 13th century. "We witness that our region has become a fireplace where millions of Muslims are being massacred," he said. "The conscience of humanity should be awoken." Haci Bektas Veli was a 13th century mystic who is revered by the country's Alevi community, who visit the Central Anatolian district of Hacibektas in Nevsehir every August for the event. Figures from both ruling and opposition parties appeared at the festival. Meanwhile, Kilicdaroglu said Aug. 15 CHP will increase its dialogue with pious people during a fast-breaking iftar dinner with Muslim representatives in Istanbul. "We will remove the [party's] distance from pious people. We know our mistakes, but we will repair them. We will increase the dialogue," Kilicdaroglu told the religious leaders.