| abstract | - Ishikism [pron: 'Ishik-ism] (Turkish: Işıkçılık or Işık Aleviliği), also called Ishik Alevism, is an offshoot of Alevism. The foundation of Ishikism was laid by the Turkish writer Erdoğan Çınar in 2004, with the publication of his book Aleviliğin Gizli Tarihi (The Secret History of Alevism). The Ishikis claim that the term "Alevi" is derived from the old Anatolian "Luwi" people, claiming that the word "Luvi" means "people of light" in the Hittite language, while the term "Alevi" in traditional Alevism is derived from Ali, as in the Arabic word "Alawi". Some Ottoman documents from the 16th century refer to the ancestors of today's Alevis as "Işık Taifesi", meaning "People of Light". According to Ishikis, this proves the connection between the Luvians and Alevis.
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