18.02.2026 15:51
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements at the governors' meeting before Ramadan. He warned the governors by giving them consecutive instructions, stating that there should be no power intoxication in serving the nation. Additionally, Erdoğan reacted strongly to the 168 individuals who signed the declaration "We Defend Secularism Together," saying, "We will not allow discord to be sown among our people."
Only a few hours remain until the holy month of Ramadan, the sultan of 11 months. Millions of Muslims will have their first pre-dawn meal tonight and their first iftar tomorrow. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with the governors of 81 provinces to extend a helping hand to citizens before the blessed month.
"WE STAND AGAINST OPPRESSION"
In significant statements, President Erdoğan listed his instructions one after another. Emphasizing that they stand firm against oppression, Erdoğan stated, "Peace and tranquility in our region are near." He also warned about the use of social media in public institutions, saying, "For reasons like getting likes, the measure in these platforms sometimes goes awry."
Reacting to the 168 individuals who signed the declaration titled "We Defend Secularism Together," Erdoğan said, "We will not allow those who want to cast a shadow over the joy of Ramadan with their declarations to sow discord among our nation."
WHAT IS THE "WE DEFEND SECULARISM TOGETHER" DECLARATION?
The declaration titled "We Defend Secularism Together," published by various legal experts, academics, artists, and civil society representatives, was announced to the public with a call to protect and strengthen the principle of secularism in Turkey. The declaration emphasized that secularism, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, is one of the fundamental characteristics of the Republic, stating that religious references should not be decisive in state governance and educational policies. The text noted that secularism is a guarantee of freedom of belief, women's rights, and equality among citizens, and called on political power and the public to uphold constitutional principles. It was recorded that the declaration was published during a period when discussions about educational policies and the functioning of public institutions have intensified.