'Family Year' crisis in Gaziantep: Girl depicted with headscarf, boy with skullcap

A promotional poster prepared for the 'Family Year Festival' in Gaziantep has shaken the political agenda. The controversy surrounding the event, which is organized under the coordination of the Gaziantep Governorship in cooperation with the Metropolitan Municipality, the Provincial Mufti's Office, the Provincial Directorate of National Education, the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, and the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, continues to grow.

The visual prepared by the Gaziantep Provincial Mufti's Office featured figures of a mother and daughter wearing headscarves and a father and son wearing skullcaps. Some segments of society interpreted these symbols as promoting only a 'religious' lifestyle while ignoring other ways of life.

'THOSE WHO ARE NOT LIKE US ARE EXCLUDED'

CHP Gaziantep MP Hasan Öztürkmen harshly criticized the festival's promotional material. Stating that the poster is contrary to social pluralism, Öztürkmen used the following expressions:

“There is no room for anyone in this poster other than figures with headscarves and skullcaps. Where are the children in modern clothing? This means ‘those who are not one of us should be excluded.’ A single type of lifestyle is being encouraged with public resources. This approach harms secularism and social peace.”

'WHY IS AN UMRAH TRIP THE ONLY OPTION?'

Information that successful students would be rewarded with an Umrah visit as part of the event has also become a focal point of the debate. Criticizing the fact that the awards are exclusively religious in nature, Öztürkmen said:

“Why are children only offered an Umrah trip? Why are alternatives such as a trip to Cappadocia or cultural activities not considered? No option other than a religious lifestyle is being left. Public resources belong to all citizens and cannot be shaped according to a specific belief.

Representing children with religious symbols means indoctrination at a very young age. This sends the message that ‘a child without a headscarf or a skullcap does not fit our family model.’ Such an approach is incompatible with the Republic's secular and pluralistic structure.

These posters do not reflect our actual family structure, but rather an idealized template they have created in their minds. Where are the broken families, children in poverty, and victims of violence? If we want to strengthen the family, we must first face these problems.”

GOVERNORSHIP AND MUNICIPALITY SILENT, OPPOSITION TO PROTEST

Despite all these criticisms, the Gaziantep Governorship and the Metropolitan Municipality have not yet made a statement on the matter. CHP's Hasan Öztürkmen announced that they would not participate in the festival events and warned the authorities:

“I am calling out to the Governor and the Metropolitan Mayor: If this mistake is not corrected, this festival will turn into a propaganda activity that divides society. We will not be a partner to this mindset; we will stand against it.”