Imamoglu reacts sharply to Friday sermon omitting Ataturk
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has reacted to the Presidency of Religious Affairs' failure to mention Ataturk in its Friday sermon titled "Many centuries with the love of homeland and nation."
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Ekrem Imamoglu criticized the Presidency of Religious Affairs for failing to include Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in its Friday sermon just two days before the 100th anniversary of the Republic.
Imamoglu stated, "A mind or mentality that puts forward the idea of not mentioning Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and not sharing him together with the Republic is of no real benefit to this country. You cannot just 'pretend.'
You must live the values of the Republic. We will exist together with its freedom and the equality it provides. Let us develop, talk, and discuss. But I underline once again those who try to look charming to society by 'pretending' while struggling to express the story of this beautiful Ataturk and this beautiful Republic by ignoring the past; I watch them with sadness, but also with a laugh. This nation will give them the answer they deserve through democracy when the time comes. I am as sure of this as I am of my own name," he said.
"NOT MENTIONING ATATURK AND NOT SHARING HIM WITH THE REPUBLIC IS OF NO BENEFIT TO THIS COUNTRY"
Today we listened to a sermon describing how valuable the Republic is. A mind or mentality that puts forward the idea of not mentioning Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and not sharing him together with the Republic is of no real benefit to this country. You cannot just 'pretend.' You must live the values of the Republic. We will exist together with its freedom and the equality it provides.
Know that if it were not for that Republic and that democracy, I would not be able to address you here. Perhaps you would not be able to provide the freedom and environment to listen to this process here today with our hearts. In that respect, let us develop, talk, and discuss...
In that respect, let us take on these duties. Let us bring a contemporary thought and a contemporary environment to our country in the best and most worthy way. But I underline once again those who try to look charming to society by 'pretending' while struggling to express the story of this beautiful Ataturk and this beautiful Republic by ignoring the past; I watch them with sadness, but also with a laugh. This nation will give them the answer they deserve through democracy when the time comes. I am as sure of this as I am of my own name.