Here is the translation of your text into English: "Applaudable actions from the giants of the world! Perhaps it will serve as an example for the CEO who couldn't handle the Ramadan celebrations."

01.03.2025 19:30

The statement made by Cem Köksal, CEO of Zorlu Holding, expressing discomfort over a Ramadan greeting sent via email, in which he said, "As we strive to be a multinational company, we expect to have employees from all religions and nationalities," has drawn attention to the fact that leading football clubs around the world have published congratulatory messages for Muslims during the month of Ramadan.

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Vestel CEO Ergün Güler sent a congratulatory message to the company's employees on the occasion of Ramadan. The reaction of Bekir Cem Köksal, the CEO of Zorlu Holding, to Güler's message has become a topic of discussion. Following this development, it was noticeable that major clubs around the world published congratulatory messages for Ramadan.

MAJOR CLUBS PUBLISHED CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES

After the arrival of Ramadan, major clubs, as they do every year, published congratulatory messages. Among the clubs celebrating Ramadan are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter, Milan, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Feyenoord.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE DID NOT FORGET RAMADAN

England's Liverpool Club published the message, "Happy Ramadan to everyone." Manchester United shared, "Happy Ramadan to all our fans around the world."

Manchester City stated, "Happy Ramadan to everyone around the world," while Chelsea Club shared, "Happy Ramadan to everyone at Chelsea Football Club."

Tottenham said, "We celebrate Ramadan for our fans all over the world," while West Ham United Club expressed, "We wish everyone a peaceful and prosperous Ramadan." Newcastle United shared, "We wish you all a blessed and healthy Ramadan."

Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah, who plays for Liverpool, shared a photo of his decorated home for Ramadan, along with the message, "Happy Ramadan."

ITALIAN GIANTS CELEBRATED RAMADAN

Italy's Milan Club used the expression, "Wishing everyone at Milan Club a blessed Ramadan," while Inter published the message, "Happy Ramadan to you." Juventus also stated, "We congratulate the Islamic world on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan."

SPANISH RAMADAN CONGRATULATIONS

Spain's Barcelona Club published the message, "We wish all our Muslim fans a happy Ramadan." In a post made in Arabic from Real Madrid Club, it was stated, "Happy Ramadan to you, Madrid residents! Real Madrid congratulates the Arab and Islamic nations on the arrival of the holy month!"

Real Madrid's German national player Antonio Rüdiger expressed, "I wish all my Muslim brothers a peaceful and blessed Ramadan! May this holy month bring you joy, peace, and prosperity."

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM GERMANS AND FRENCH

Germany's Borussia Dortmund Club stated, "Happy Ramadan to our Muslim family around the world!" Bayern Munich, in a message published in Arabic, said, "Happy Ramadan to all the people of Bavaria! We congratulate the Arab and Islamic world on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan."

France's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Club published, "Happy Ramadan to all Paris Saint-Germain fans. We wish you a month filled with goodness, prosperity, and wonderful times with your loved ones."

Netherlands' Feyenoord Club shared, "Happy Ramadan to everyone."

"WE HAVE A SECULAR STANCE"

Köksal, who responded to Ergün via email, stated, "We have a secular stance." He added, "Ergün, Ramadan is not on our list of days to be celebrated corporately. Religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are included. It is not appropriate for us to celebrate any religious holidays 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 right 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."

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 celebrates Christmas. They even celebrate Halloween, but they cannot celebrate Ramadan because they are a global company.



• Look, Mr. Cem Köksal, which religion you belong to or whether you are an atheist does not concern us. However, if you prohibit celebrating the blessed month of Ramadan while celebrating Christmas, we, as Muslims, know how to tell you to stop. You should know your limits.



• The person known as Cem Köksal, the CEO of Zorlu Holding, spoke like an official from a foreign country. What does it mean that "Ramadan is not on our list of days to be celebrated"? This is a Muslim country.

CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN

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