Özüm Çelik is an Alevi Muslim raised in Istanbul. Although she does not practice religion, her family has taught her the values of Alevi Islam, and she feels part of the community. She believes that reviving the Alevi roots in Istanbul is a way to avoid assimilation for her family and community while shedding light on the Alevi stories of resilience from violence and massacre against their identity. Özüm is a master’s student at the European University Institute in Florence and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology.