An attorney, Mr. Tarhan is the founder and the chairman of many associations working in the field of environment, culture, and sports.

Born in Tunceli, a province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, he completed his primary and secondary education in Elazig and Ankara. He graduated from the Law School of Ankara University and completed his master’s degree at the same university in private law. He has been working as a lawyer and legal consultant in Istanbul since 1990.

He is chairman of the Federation of Alevi Associations, which is an umbrella organization for for Karacaahmet Dergahi (Dervish Lodge), Sahkulu Dergahi, Garipdede Dergahi, Eskisehir Sucattin Veli Dergahi. He also is chairman of Erikli Baba Cultural Association located in Zeytinburnu-Istanbul, which was created to contribute to intercultural and interfaith dialogue and to learn and teach Alevi philosophy.

Mr. Tarhan has written many articles on politics, Alevi faith, education, and sociology. He also has participated in many academic meetings on related topics. Born in 1964, he is married with two children.