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Cem Özer: 'The Diyanet's failure to mention Atatürk is an imposition'

The Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) did not include Atatürk in its Friday sermon. Actor Cem Özer criticized the Diyanet in harsh terms. Özer stated, "The Diyanet's failure to mention Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms before every national holiday is an imposition."

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The Presidency of Religious Affairs 'forgot' Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in its Friday sermon titled “To many more centuries with a love for the homeland and nation” on the 100th anniversary of the Republic.

It chose to use the phrase "the statesmen who led our National Struggle."

Actor Cem Özer criticized the Diyanet in harsh terms for not including Atatürk in its Friday sermon.

'THIS IS AN IMPOSITION'

Speaking to 12punto.com.tr, Özer commented, "This is the birthday of the Republic of Turkey. It is not the birthday of a relative they do not like. Since the Presidency of Religious Affairs is also a state institution, it is obligated to celebrate it. The Diyanet's failure to mention Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, who are the reason for its very existence, before every national holiday is an imposition."

The Diyanet's Friday sermon was as follows:
“Our heavenly homeland is not just a piece of land to us. These lands are our home where we are determined to live in peace and security until the end of time. It is a sacred trust left to us by the lives of our dear martyrs, the blood of our heroic veterans, and the perseverance, effort, and determination of the statesmen who led our National Struggle.
This trust is dearer to each of us than our own lives. When necessary, we will give our lives, we will give up our loved ones, we will sacrifice all that we have; but as expressed in our National Anthem, we will never give up our homeland, which is a legacy from our ancestors…”

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