Ibrahim Özkan, who resigned from IYI Party, reacts to Akşener's 'Sharia' remarks

In response to IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener's statement that "Sharia is equal to the religion of Islam," Ibrahim Özkan, who resigned from the IYI Party, replied, "Islam is not Sharia. If Islam were Sharia, a woman would not be a party leader."

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IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener, who decided to enter the local elections 'freely and independently', met with party members in Sivas as part of her election campaign.

In her speech there, Akşener stated, “What is done in Sivas in every election? They tell you, ‘Vote for us.’ ‘The other side is terrorist…’ The other side says, ‘Vote for us, they are Sharia supporters…’ Now, one side does not know the meaning of terrorist. They have emptied and trivialized the concept of terrorist. The other does not know that Sharia is equal to the religion of Islam. The people of Sivas are the ones who lose out between these two ignorant approaches.”

Ibrahim Özkan, an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Council member who advocated for cooperation with the CHP in the local elections and resigned from the IYI Party, reacted to these remarks by Akşener.

In a post on his social media account, Özkan stated the following:

“Islam is not Sharia. If Islam were Sharia, a woman would not be a party leader.. Especially not one with her head uncovered.. For instance, she would not be able to speak in front of men… That is why long live the Republic…. May your Friday be blessed.”