24.06.2026 10:40
A strong reaction came from MHP Erzurum Deputy Kamil Aydın to singer Nihat Doğan's use of the term "swearer" for the late Naim Hoca, one of Erzurum's spiritual leaders. Bringing the issue to the Turkish Grand National Assembly podium, Aydın described Doğan's words as "lacking in class" and made a meaningful reference to the famous figure from the parliamentary podium by reciting Naim Hoca's lines, "Words are a scale, they weigh a person."
Singer Nihat Doğan's use of the term "swearer" towards the late Naim Hoca, one of the symbolic figures of Erzurum, during a program he attended caused outrage in Erzurum. Following the reactions, MHP Erzurum Deputy Prof. Dr. Kamil Aydın brought the issue to the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and harshly criticized Nihat Doğan from the parliament podium.
"WORDS SHOULD BE MEASURED AND WEIGHED BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE MOUTH" In his speech at the TBMM General Assembly, MHP Erzurum Deputy Kamil Aydın recalled the proverb "The throat has nine knots" and emphasized that public figures should weigh their words before speaking. Stating that some artists and well-known individuals have recently used a style under the guise of anecdotes, jokes, or stories that is hurtful, offensive, and damaging to social values, Aydın expressed that this situation is unacceptable and invited public figures to act with a sense of responsibility.
"THIS EXPRESSION LACKS DECENCY" Reacting to the mention of the late Naim Hoca, regarded as a spiritual leader of Erzurum, with an inappropriate label, MHP's Aydın used the following statements: "Naim Hoca is an ambassador of tolerance and culture for Erzurum. The characterization 'swearer' used for him is an expression that never aligns with the name of our late teacher and lacks decency. Everyone must use respectful language towards values etched in social memory."
MHP Erzurum Deputy Prof. Dr. Kamil Aydın HE REPLIED WITH NAIM HOCA'S QUATRAIN Giving the most meaningful response to this characterization, which caused great anger in the public opinion of Erzurum, by using the late teacher's own words, Kamil Aydın read Naim Hoca's famous quatrain from the parliament podium: "Words are a scale, they weigh a person..."
Stating that every word spoken carries a responsibility, MHP Erzurum Deputy Prof. Dr. Kamil Aydın called for respect towards social values and greeted the general assembly.
WHAT HAPPENED? Singer Nihat Doğan, during a program he attended, told an anecdote by referencing Naim Hoca, one of the symbolic and spiritual figures of Erzurum, but while recounting the anecdote, he used the term "swearer" for the late teacher. This comparison drew significant backlash from the public, especially from the people of Erzurum.