15.02.2026 17:24
Speaking at the Neighborhood Presidents Consultation and Evaluation Camp organized by the AK Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency in Ankara, Bilal Erdoğan became one of the most notable figures of the program with his remarks about his father, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan stated that being the son of President Erdoğan is a great privilege for him, saying, "I really feel very lucky."
The Neighborhood Presidents Consultation and Evaluation Camp organized by the AK Party Istanbul Provincial Presidency in Ankara witnessed striking statements. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, who spoke at the event, stood out with his evaluations about his father, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"THERE WILL BE A CONCEPT OF 'THOSE WHO LIVED DURING TAYYIP ERDOĞAN'S TIME'" Responding to the question, "What does it feel like to be the child of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?", Bilal Erdoğan expressed that he sees this situation not only as a child but also as an individual witnessing Turkey's recent history.
Erdoğan stated, "I feel very lucky not only as his son but also as someone who observes Turkey. In the future, there will be a concept of 'those who lived during Tayyip Erdoğan's time'."
Emphasizing that he does not exhibit an emotional approach while describing President Erdoğan, Bilal Erdoğan continued his words: "I do not say these things thinking that I am describing my father. I feel like a political scientist, an academic, or an economist. I am really speaking as if I am describing a historical figure."
"I REALLY FEEL LUCKY TO BE HIS SON" Bilal Erdoğan, who stated that he has had the opportunity to spend more time with President Erdoğan and get to know him closely, expressed that this situation holds a special meaning for him.
Erdoğan, who said, "I really feel very lucky to be his son, to see him more and to know him better," received intense interest from the audience with his words.
HELD IN KIZILCAHAMAM The Neighborhood Presidents Consultation and Evaluation Camp was held in Kızılcahamam between February 13-15, 2026. During the three-day program, the performance of neighborhood organizations in the field, coordination mechanisms, and a strategic roadmap for the upcoming period were comprehensively discussed. On the first day of the program, Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan made a presentation. Following the presentation, the 'Organization Summit - From Establishment to Future' session discussed the transformation of the AK Party's organizational structure from the past to the present and the vision for the future. The summit was moderated by AK Party Deputy Chairman and Organization President Ahmet Büyükgümüş, while AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Political and Legal Affairs Hayati Yazıcı, Board Chairman of the Ilim Yayma Society Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, AK Party Amasya MPs Haluk İpek, Ekrem Erdem, Mustafa Ataş, AK Party Istanbul MP Süleyman Soylu, and AK Party Istanbul MP Erkan Kandemir shared their experiences.
"THE RISE OF ISTANBUL IS THE RISE OF TURKEY" On the second day of the program, AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Abdullah Özdemir stated, "Despite all kinds of difficulties and challenges in the past year, we have strengthened our bond with our society even more. I want to express that there is currently significant progress in Istanbul according to our surveys. We are in a better position compared to the 2023 election we won. In our municipal presidencies and district municipalities, we are 6 points higher than in April. We are also at a more advanced point in the metropolitan area compared to April. We will continue this journey by measuring these regularly until the day we cross the finish line. We all know that it is not the hardness of the water that breaks the marble, but its continuity. We will work with effort, love, and enthusiasm; we owe Istanbul to our President. The rise of Istanbul is the rise of Turkey," he said.
"THE RISE OF ISTANBUL WILL ELEVATE ALL OF TURKEY" Abdullah Özdemir stated, "My esteemed MPs are also going to Anatolia; even in a village in Erzurum, everyone knows what is happening in Istanbul. In Bayburt, Van, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Yozgat, Sivas, Kastamonu, and Tokat, they are following how the people of Istanbul, Istanbul, and the AK Party have developed a reflex and what they are doing. Istanbul has a responsibility not only to itself but also to elevate all of Turkey. With this awareness of responsibility, we will work together to ensure that our children and grandchildren have a better future, so that they do not experience the difficulties we have faced, and so that they do not struggle for freedom at the gates of universities. There were citizens in this country who could not say they were Alevi. There were brothers who hesitated to speak their mother tongue. Thank God, we have brought all of these to the point they should be," he said.
100 NEIGHBORHOOD PRESIDENTS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO GO ON UMRAH The program was completed with the aim of strengthening neighborhood-scale activities in line with the understanding of 'Istanbul with Every Neighborhood, Every Story' and demonstrating a more effective organizational performance in every corner of Istanbul. At the end of the program, it was announced that a total of 100 neighborhood presidents from Istanbul's 39 districts had earned the right to go on Umrah.