İmamoğlu criticizes the Presidency of Religious Affairs: 'It is unclear who it serves'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu attended the official ceremonies held as part of the 102nd-anniversary celebrations of August 30 Victory Day. The ceremonies began at the Republic Monument in Taksim and continued on Vatan Avenue.

The official ceremony, which began with the laying of wreaths at the Republic Monument by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, 1st Army and Istanbul Garrison Commander General Metin Tokel, and IMM Mayor İmamoğlu, concluded after a moment of silence for the martyrs and the singing of the National Anthem. The ceremony was also attended by CHP Deputy Chairman Suat Özçağdaş, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, and Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney. Following the ceremony, non-governmental organizations and political parties also laid wreaths at the Republic Monument to celebrate August 30.

IT POINTS US TOWARD NEW VICTORIES

In his statement after the ceremony in Taksim, İmamoğlu stated that August 30 shows that the Republic is built on solid foundations, saying, "This great victory, in its 102nd year today, points us toward new victories. We must achieve new victories in education, science, art, culture, technology, and industry. We hope to be the children of a nation that achieves victories in these fields in the second century of our Republic. Only in this way can we be individuals worthy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our ancestors who won this victory."

The ceremonies continued with a reception held at the Istanbul Governorship. Later, during the official parade held on Vatan Avenue, İmamoğlu greeted the public alongside Governor Gül and General Tokel. During the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's August 30 message was also read. The ceremony concluded with the parade of military units.

İMAMOĞLU CRITICIZES THE PRESIDENCY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu harshly criticized the fact that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's name was not included in the Friday sermon published by the Presidency of Religious Affairs on August 30 Victory Day.

Making statements after Friday prayers, İmamoğlu addressed President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş, stating, "He is not a person who carries the national sentiments of this country. It is unclear who he serves."

İmamoğlu's statements are as follows:

"You do not commemorate the commander who said stop to the occupation of his lands, the person who saved his homeland. The President of Religious Affairs is not a person who carries the national sentiments of this country. May God reform him. It is unclear who he serves. He has also ruined the faith of this nation."