AKP mayor's 'iftar abroad' project sparks backlash! Response follows

AKP Sultangazi Mayor Abdurrahman Dursun has initiated a project that has sparked controversy. Dursun made the decision to organize iftar events abroad.

RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

During the March meeting of the Sultangazi Municipal Council, a proposal bearing the signature of Mayor Abdurrahman Dursun was submitted. According to a report by İsmail Arı from BirGün, the proposal stated that municipal council members would be taken abroad for iftar programs and that authorization from the municipal council was required to issue service passports (grey passports). Following the vote, the request for service passports was approved by the municipal council.

BUDGET TO BE COVERED BY THE MUNICIPALITY

The approval document regarding the overseas program by AKP Mayor Abdurrahman Dursun has been obtained. The document stated that the municipality would organize iftar programs in Balkan countries, particularly in Greece and Bulgaria, and that the expenses for these organizations would be covered by the municipal budget. Furthermore, it was stated that municipal council members and municipal administrators would participate in these programs using service passports.

The document bearing the signature of Mayor Abdurrahman Dursun includes the following statements:

It is intended to conduct technical examinations to study examples of technological infrastructure and smart designs in European countries within 2025, to identify opportunities for inter-municipal cooperation, and to organize joint iftar and programs in Balkan countries, primarily in Bulgaria and Greece, during the month of Ramadan.

I submit to your approval the referral of our letter and its attachments to the Municipal Council to take a decision within the framework of the relevant provisions of Law No. 5393 regarding the coverage of the expenses of the programs to be organized from the Municipal budget and the assignment of our municipal council members included in the attached list.

MUNICIPALITY STATEMENT AFTER BACKLASH

Sultangazi Municipality provided information regarding the matter. It was stated that the budget for the iftars in Greece and Bulgaria did not come from the municipality, but that business people and philanthropists covered these costs, and that Sultangazi Municipality only acted as an intermediary.

Furthermore, the information provided by Sultangazi Municipality stated that the purpose here was to keep national and spiritual values alive and to organize iftars with the Turks living there.

News Source: 12punto