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| Oktay Aslantaş |
"The population of Küresünni Turks living in Turkey's Van province is declining, but they still maintain their significant political position and influence," Oktay Aslantaş told Voice of America in an interview. The editor of the Küresünni website discussed the socio-political life of Küresünni Turks who migrated from Iran's West Azerbaijan province to Turkey over the past century, as well as the connections between Küresünnis living in Turkey and those in West Azerbaijan.
Referring to international human rights organizations, Küresünni Turks, who belong to the Sunni sect, face both ethnic and sectarian discrimination in Iran. They primarily live in the cities of Salmas, Urmia, Khoy, Maku, Ushnaviyeh, and Khana in West Azerbaijan province, as well as in villages within these cities inhabited by Küresünnis. Over time, the name "Küresünni" has also been applied to other Sunni Turks in the region who are not originally from the Küresünni tribe.
In a 2011 statement, Amnesty International identified Sunni Turks living in West Azerbaijan, alongside Baluchs and Afghan nationals, as among the minority groups in Iran facing the highest risk of execution.
According to Oktay Aslantaş, the oppression and discrimination experienced by their relatives in West Azerbaijan deeply concern Küresünnis in Turkey. Many Sunni Turks from West Azerbaijan began migrating collectively to Turkey, particularly after World War I. Most settled in Van province and its districts, in villages and neighborhoods primarily inhabited by Küresünnis. However, some Küresünnis have also migrated from Van to other parts of Turkey, including Mersin, Bursa, Istanbul, Ankara, and Adana.
The founder of the Küresünni website explained that familial ties and cultural closeness often bring Küresünnis in Van together. “The Küresünnis do not follow a tribal system, which is why there isn’t a single leader representing the Küresünnis in Van,” emphasized the cultural activist from Van.
“Some people call Küresünnis Ajam, but this is not an accurate term. Küresünnis are genuinely Turkish,” highlighted Oktay Aslantaş, referencing a poem by the late Küresünni poet and composer Ashiq Bəhlul:
Əcəmlər kürd deyər, kürd əcəm sayar
Hansı harda tutdu orada soyar
Ədalət şah olsa, bir qanun qoyar
Deməz ki, arada öl Kürəsünni ...
Translation:
"The Ajams call them Kurds, the Kurds call them Ajam,
Wherever caught, they are stripped there.
If justice ruled, one law would be set:
Never say in between, 'Perish, Küresünni.'"
According to Aslantaş, the population of Küresünni Turks in Van province has begun to decline. However, he also pointed out that the Küresünni community still retains its political significance:
“In past years, Küresünnis managed to send two representatives to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Currently, there is no Küresünni deputy in the TBMM, but the community has representatives in the Provincial General Assembly and the Municipal Council.”
He added that many Küresünnis lean toward nationalist political views, generally voting for parties like the MHP and AKP. "The Küresünni community is preparing for the upcoming municipal elections. Preparations are especially underway to win the municipal elections in the Tuşba district, where Küresünnis are densely populated," said Aslantaş.
According to Turkish media reports, the catastrophic earthquake that struck Van in October 2011 severely impacted Küresünni villages. Aslantaş stated: "In addition to villages, many buildings in Van city center where Küresünnis resided also collapsed. As a result, the quality of life for Küresünni Turks has declined since the earthquake."
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Parçalanmış toplum - Kürəsünni türkləri