28.11.2025 00:50
The President's Chief Advisor, Oktay Saral, reacted harshly to the Black Friday campaign organized by companies every year. Saral stated, "Those who undermine the blessings and spirituality of Friday do not align with our traditions or the sensitivities of our society. Necessary administrative and legal steps must be taken immediately against those who target the spirituality of the nation with these cheap marketing tactics."
Every year on the fourth Friday of November, a worldwide event known as Black Friday takes place, where companies offer discounts. A striking criticism regarding this campaign came from the Chief Advisor to the President, Oktay Saral. Saral stated that Black Friday is incompatible with our traditions and that necessary legal and administrative steps should be taken.
OKTAY SARAL'S CRITICISM OF "BLACK FRIDAY"
In a post on his social media account, Saral expressed the following: It is absolutely unacceptable for some stores to turn the sanctity of Friday, which this nation has revered for centuries, into a marketing tool under the name "Black Friday."
"ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL STEPS MUST BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY"
This understanding, which undermines our values for the sake of commercial gain and attacks the abundance and spirituality of Friday, is incompatible with both our traditions and the sensitivities of our society. I clearly state from here: Necessary administrative and legal steps must be taken immediately against those who target the spirituality of the nation with these cheap marketing tactics.
"FRIDAY IS NOT BLACK FOR THIS NATION; IT IS A DAY OF ABUNDANCE"
Control mechanisms must be activated, and necessary sanctions should be applied to those who intentionally misuse this concept. Friday is not black for this nation; it is a day of light, mercy, brotherhood, and abundance. No one has the right to overshadow or tarnish this.
I invite the authorities to uphold the sensitivities of our nation and urge businesses to stop mocking our values and come to their senses."
WHAT IS BLACK FRIDAY?
Black Friday is the name given to the first Friday following Thanksgiving in the United States. This day is traditionally considered the official start of the Christmas shopping season and is a major shopping event where retailers offer the biggest discounts, campaigns, and special deals of the year.
Although it originated in the USA, it has now become a global phenomenon adopted in many countries, including Turkey, known for its significant discounts. The origin of the name is associated with the financial records of stores showing losses (red) throughout the year turning to profit (black) on this record sales day, making it the most important commercial day of the year.