Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu strongly criticized the refusal to grant cem houses the status of places of worship, calling it a disgrace of the government.

During the Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies, İmamoğlu emphasized that Alevi Bektashi citizens are equal citizens and that it is their duty to ensure they receive the services they deserve.

İmamoğlu stated, "Mosques belong to us as much as cem houses do. Turkey should be a country of true equality and brotherhood, not discrimination."

He stressed that the demands of Alevi citizens for justice, equality, and humanity should be met, and that blocking these demands is a disgrace of the government.