Yusuf Tekin's 'I don't have a stomach as broad as his' remark to Özgür Özel: He made a reference to profanity

Minister Tekin stated that he would file a criminal complaint against 168 people who described Ramadan events in schools as 'Talibanization in education' and signed a declaration titled 'We Defend Secularism Together'. Tekin said, "They ask, 'What is wrong with this, why are you taking it to the judiciary?' I say; I am not a man with a stomach as broad as Özgür Özel's."

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin visited the 'Ramadan at the Külliye' event area, organized under the coordination of the Presidency at the Presidential Complex. Minister Tekin toured the stands set up within the scope of the event and chatted with children, young people, and families. Examining the various cultural and artistic activities in the program area, Minister Tekin pointed out that the month of Ramadan is not only a religious month but also an important cultural and social value that keeps society together. Emphasizing that Ramadan is important in terms of keeping common cultural values alive and passing them on to future generations, Tekin stated that such events strengthen the unity and solidarity of society.

Stating that the month of Ramadan is a unifying force, Minister Tekin said, "I hope we will all reach the Night of Power and then the Ramadan Feast together in health, happiness, and peace. The month of Ramadan is a period in our country where unity, solidarity, cooperation, and the peace of brotherhood are felt the most. The month of Ramadan is a beautiful month that begins with iftar tables, is blessed with suhoor, and which we diversify with our prayers and behaviors throughout the day."

HE TARGETED ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: "I AM NOT A MAN WITH A STOMACH AS BROAD AS HIS"

Stating that he would file a criminal complaint against 168 people who described Ramadan events in schools as 'Talibanization in education' and signed a declaration titled 'We Defend Secularism Together', Minister Tekin said, "In Anatolia, Ramadan means a period when national unity, brotherhood, cooperation, and solidarity are experienced at the maximum level. I lived in Anatolia in different years. I also lived there during years when Alevis and non-Muslims were present. I saw my neighbors. We shared the food we cooked for iftar in our home with our neighbors, regardless of their religion, ethnic, or cultural identity. This is how it is in Anatolia. No one looks at anyone else's religion while helping each other during the month of Ramadan. However, there are very serious legal problems in the declaration announced by 168 people. They ask, 'What is wrong with this, why are you taking it to the judiciary?' I say; I am not a man with a stomach as broad as Özgür Özel's. I have nothing to say to someone who would claim that sentences identified as profanity all over Anatolia are not profanity when they are proven to have been written by a mayor from his own party in a message. I think the expressions in that declaration contain insults to me, my teacher colleagues, my administrative colleagues, and the Turkish society. Because I think they should apologize to society for this insult, I will take it to the judiciary," he said.