25.02.2026 08:50
President's Chief Advisor Oktay Saral responded to CHP leader Özgür Özel's criticism of Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin with the song "Hadi Bakalım," stating, "Control your tongue. Otherwise, the monsters will eat you."
The Ministry of National Education had informed the governors of 81 provinces in a letter that events themed 'Ramadan in the Heart of Education' would be organized in schools across Turkey during Ramadan. Özel, on the other hand, directed criticisms at Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin during a group meeting regarding the issue.
In his speech, Özel stated, "When Ramadan comes, voices should lower, we should refrain from hurtful words, instead of polarizing, we should embrace, reconcile those who are estranged, understand the state of those who are hungry… During Ramadan, seeing the state of those who normally cannot reach bread, water, and food while you are hungry. Therefore, it is important to help; to give zakat, to give fitra. In other words, to build a country where no one is in need of zakat or fitra, to do politics for this, to support politicians who can do this… If anything is to come out of Ramadan, it should be these, not enmity. But the responsible minister for polarizing and turning citizens against each other is the Minister of National Education of the AK Party. Ramadan is a blessed month. Everyone has their children. Families are responsible for their children's religious education until they reach a certain age. The worship and fasting of that child are known by their parents. A very small child. They will make these children keep a record, and from this, they will create discrimination in the classroom. The main purpose is to make it to the newspaper and television. A tension will arise. Then they will cling to the same lie. What is the same lie? They say to the subconscious of the voters; 'Yes, you are hungry, you are poor, you are unemployed, you are insecure, but the danger is great. You must give your vote to us. If you give it to them, they will lower the flag, if you give it to them, they will silence the call to prayer. If you give it to them, they will do this…' With this game, they are also exploiting the vote of the person whose labor they have exploited, whose sweat they have taken. They do not let him change, they condemn him to hunger, they condemn him to misery. They build politics on this." he said.
"THEN THE MONSTERS WILL EAT YOU"
President Erdoğan's Chief Advisor Oktay Saral quoted these words, saying, "Know yourself, hold your tongue tight, control your hand and tongue, then the monsters will eat you, dear Özgür."