First comment from President Erdogan on the sword oath of the lieutenants: Who are you drawing these swords against?

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at the 21st Imam Hatip Graduates Congress. Erdogan, who also touched on current issues, made his first comment on the controversial sword oath of the lieutenants that has been debated for days.

On Victory Day on August 30th, a graduation ceremony was held at the Land Forces Academy affiliated with the National Defense University with the participation of President Erdogan. Moments were recorded when a group of new graduate lieutenants gathered in the field after the ceremony and raised their swords in the air, saying "We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers." The images of this unusual oath brought the debate on "military tutelage" back to the agenda.

"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO BE IN OUR ARMY"

Erdogan, whose comments on the subject were a matter of curiosity, used the following expressions: "They drew their swords at the last diploma ceremony, who are you drawing these swords against? Investigations are being conducted regarding this. A few ignorant people, they will also be cleansed. It is not possible for them to be in our army...

How did this game happen? We are conducting our investigations. We scheduled a meeting with the university. We are taking steps to quickly cleanse them. We will not allow political calculations to be made through our army. We will definitely take the necessary steps."

In his speech, President Erdogan also stated the following;

"There are many unsung heroes who have borne the burden of the Imam Hatip cause. We have many foundation members who have contributed to the growth of this great tree. We have teachers who have dedicated themselves to this cause with their lives, wealth, and souls. We have many people who sweat to hold the hands of a young person, to reach out to one more young person. We have many philanthropists who have mobilized all their resources to establish and sustain Imam Hatip schools in Turkey and around the world. May Allah be pleased with all those beautiful people. May the deceased rest in paradise.

Dear young brothers and sisters, for the past 22 years, as the Chairman, as a member of parliament, as the Prime Minister, and now as the President of Turkey, we have been serving our nation with the authority and responsibility given to us by our people, together with our companions. We have accomplished many works for our country in these 22 years. We have produced many services. We have built roads, bridges, hospitals, houses, cities, and schools. We have greatly expanded our country in terms of economy, defense, and trade. We have brought many firsts to our country in every field. We have broken records that were considered unbreakable, thanks be to God.

In education, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, trade, internal security, and external security, we have introduced Turkey to many firsts. We have made Turkey the shining star of the world and the region. We have increased its power and prestige. I would like to say this openly here, of course, all of these are important, valuable, and honorable for us, but none of them is the main goal of our struggle. Personally, for me, from the past to the present, from today until my last breath, I have a position, a rank, a title that I will carry on my shoulders, even in the presence of my Lord. And that is to be an Imam Hatip graduate. If they ask me to name one thing you have done throughout your life, one work you have produced, my answer will be clear without hesitation; it is to remove the obstacles in front of Imam Hatip schools. It is to increase the number of Imam Hatip schools. It is to improve the quality of education in Imam Hatip schools.

Everything comes and goes, all positions, all ranks, all titles come and go. But the seed you plant in the ground grows into a mighty tree. It builds civilizations under its shade for centuries. Our late elders planted this seed. They sincerely spread these seeds on the ground at the cost of sacrifice. We also planted new seeds. We spread those seeds to every corner of Turkey. We took care of the existing ones. We protected them, nurtured them, and ensured that they turned into saplings and trees. The founders of Imam Hatip schools were only a few people. We were a handful. Now I see that we have become a flood, a waterfall, a sea, and even an ocean. I take pride in this, as our national poet Mehmet Akif says, "These calls to prayer, which are the foundation of the religion, should resound over the eternal homeland of mine." Yes, dear Imam Hatip graduate, you exist, you are right here, you are proudly standing, you are more than before, you are stronger than before."

Details are coming...