23.10.2026 16:32
Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan, during his contacts in Diyarbakır, stated that the use of the mother tongue is a natural right and expressed that when they come to power, they will definitely resolve the issue of education in the mother tongue.
Fatih Erbakan, Chairman of the New Welfare Party, attended a press statement organized by non-governmental organizations in front of the Grand Mosque in Diyarbakır and answered journalists' questions after visiting local shopkeepers. Erbakan, who made statements on current issues, assessed education in the mother tongue, Article 66 of the Constitution, and Azerbaijan's decision to declare 31 Turkish citizens "undesirable persons."
"WE WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION IN THE MOTHER TONGUE UNDER OUR GOVERNMENT"
Explaining his party's stance clearly on Kurdish education and the use of the mother tongue, Erbakan stated that the right to one's mother tongue cannot be usurped and said: "We are in favor of allowing the use, preservation, and teaching of the mother tongue, which is a natural right from birth, and, if requested, the provision of education and training in the mother tongue as well. As the New Welfare Party, when we come to power, we will definitely resolve the issue of education in the mother tongue. This can happen through private schools or through a step taken by the state. Experts and the Ministry of National Education can plan and resolve it; what matters here is the intention."
"WE ARE IN THE REGION WITH THE MINDSET OF OUR TEACHER ERBAKAN"
Referring to the interest shown to them by the people of the region, Erbakan said, "Our teacher Erbakan's approach to our Kurdish brothers and sisters and the people of the region is clear. We too have come with our teacher Erbakan's mindset to embrace 86 million people without discriminating by race or sect." Touching on the debates regarding Article 66 of the Constitution, Erbakan stated that they would make their own comments after the other political parties' clear views emerge.
THE HEADSCARF BAN IN AZERBAIJAN
Speaking about the entry ban decision that followed their criticism of the Azerbaijani administration's "headscarf ban" practice in schools, Erbakan argued that the restriction was unacceptable: "Preventing girls' right to education and acting contrary to freedom of religion and belief is extremely wrong. This kind of entry ban came because we criticized it, but it does not matter to us. Our wish is for this problem to be eliminated and this outdated ban to be lifted. We believe that Mr. President should also give the necessary warning to Mr. Aliyev and take a step toward resolving this issue in a manner befitting the brotherhood of the two countries."