Cem Köksal's "Ramadan" controversy has brought the image of the King of England to the forefront.

01.03.2025 16:30

After Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal expressed discomfort over a Ramadan greeting sent via email stating, "As we strive to be a multinational company, we expect to have employees from all religions and nationalities," images of King Charles III and Queen Camilla packing dates for Muslims went viral on social media.

Vestel CEO Ergün Güler sent a congratulatory message to the company employees on the occasion of Ramadan. Bekir Cem Köksal, the CEO of Zorlu Holding, to which the institution is affiliated, reacted harshly to Güler's Ramadan message.

"WE HAVE A SECULAR STANCE"

In response to Ergün via email, Köksal stated, "We have a secular stance." He continued, "Ergün, Ramadan is not on our list of days to be celebrated as a corporation. The religious holidays we celebrate are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is not appropriate for us to celebrate religious days other than these. In the 70-year history of this group, there has never been a celebration of Ramadan. As a company, we have a secular stance. While trying to be a multinational company, we expect our employees to come from all religions and nations. Therefore, I do not find it appropriate for us to celebrate such an occasion corporately. I have warned you about similar issues before. Please do not let this happen again in any way. I especially ask you to take this warning seriously," he expressed.

IMAGES OF THE KING OF ENGLAND BECAME A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

While Köksal's words received a strong backlash on social media, images of King Charles III of England packing dates for Muslims and supporting iftar preparations have resurfaced in the news.

CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE COMPANY

After the incident, many people reacted to CEO Köksal's message on social media. Calls for a boycott of the company increased.

Here are some of those reactions:

• The CEO of Zorlu Holding, who said, "We have a secular stance, we cannot celebrate Ramadan," has a subsidiary that easily celebrates Christmas. They even celebrate Halloween, but they claim to be a global company and cannot celebrate Ramadan..
• Look, Mr. Cem Köksal, which religion you belong to or whether you are an atheist does not concern us. However, if you prohibit the celebration of the blessed month of Ramadan while celebrating Christmas, we know how to tell you to stop as a Muslim. You should know your limits.
• The person known as Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal spoke like an official from a foreign country. What do you mean "Ramadan is not on our list of days to be celebrated"? This is a Muslim country. Your Islamophobia has not ended. Your anti-Muslim stance has not ended. It is shameful.
• As long as Cem Köksal is in that company, Vestel will not be in our homes or workplaces from now on.

CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN

While citizens reacted to the scandal on social media, it was revealed that Vestel, under the management of Zorlu Holding CEO who prohibited the celebration of Ramadan, has been celebrating Christmas and Halloween.