ABSTRACT
Visits to local interreligious pilgrimage sites (Arab.: ziyarah; Turk.: ziyaret) are a unique feature of social and cultural life in Hatay, the southernmost region of Turkey. The population of Hatay includes Arab and Turkish Sunnis and Arab Alawis as the largest communities, and Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christians as the most significant minorities (Türk 2002: 7; Doğruel 2005a: 23–31; Ulusoğlu 2012: 59–98). The Arab Alawis in Hatay identify themselves as Muslims, but they have beliefs and practices that present a unique interpretation of Islam blended with elements of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity (Friedman 2010: 152–174, 223–232).
