10.02.2026 16:57
Zeynep Güneş, the Mayor of Mihalgazi in Eskişehir, reacted to the insults directed at her based on her clothing, saying, "I live in this country, I have not done any harm to this country. What happens when I become a mayor?" Struggling to hold back her tears, Güneş pointed out the most upsetting aspect, saying, "It hurts to hear my son call and say, 'Mom, don't be sad about these things.' The child I should be comforting is comforting me."
AK Party Deputy Chairman and Human Rights President Hasan Basri Yalçın hosted Eskişehir's Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş, who was targeted due to her clothing, and her companions in his office at the party headquarters.
Hasan Basri Yalçın stated that there has been a social and multifaceted reaction to the verbal attacks containing insults directed at Mayor Güneş. Indicating that the mentality towards headscarves and the disturbing attitude, as well as the hate speech against the fundamental values of this society, have not ended, Yalçın said, "They used to say, 'We are not actually against headscarves, we are against turbans. If you wear it like our mothers and grandmothers, there would be no problem.' Unfortunately, there are people filled with hatred and animosity who cannot digest an Anatolian woman with her baggy trousers and headscarf. The legal process of the matter has already begun. Hopefully, our struggle against these mentalities will continue. Mayor Zeynep and her friends have become a source of pride for all of us by representing exactly what they should represent."
"THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A SERIOUS MENTALITY TRANSFORMATION" Yalçın emphasized that they were pleased to see Zeynep Güneş and her friends wearing white headscarves at group meetings, party meetings, and organizational meetings.
Pointing out that such people have a mentality that hates themselves and their values, Yalçın stated, "A mentality that thinks they can limit success and the mayorship with baggy trousers and headscarves. We have been fighting against this mentality for years. We thank you and Mayor Zeynep for that successful struggle."
Yalçın conveyed that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also very sensitive about this issue and is closely interested in it.
Indicating that there are people who have distanced themselves from this society to the extent of despising cultural clothing, Yalçın said, "These issues cannot be solved solely with legal and political regulations. This country also needs a serious mentality transformation. We will all fight for that mentality. Mayor Zeynep will not shy away from the struggle."
"OUR PRESIDENT AND OUR PARTY STAND FIRM BEHIND YOU" Yalçın pointed out that such people think of themselves as enlightened, skilled, and knowledgeable individuals, and emphasized that one should look at what people do as humans, not at their clothing.
Yalçın said, "Isn't what we call democracy exactly this?" and added, "A world, a ground where people wearing all kinds of clothing can hold any kind of position, where people carrying all kinds of standards can do everything with their own success, with their own merit, is actually democracy. But they cannot even digest this. Judging people solely by their appearance and clothing, while that appearance and clothing symbolize our values, our society, our past, and everything, is certainly not something that reasonable people like us can understand."
"THE ENEMY OF FREEDOM IN THIS MINDSET HAS NOT ENDED" Yalçın stated that they continue the struggle for freedoms and have made great strides, and noted:
"Hopefully, we will crown those distances with a civil constitution from now on. We will not give up the struggle against this mentality. We will continue our struggle with courage and self-confidence. We will make those who do not want to understand realize that we are the true owners and representatives of this land, and that we represent these values. Our president and our party stand firm behind you. We will not let them get away with this. All necessary measures will be taken, hopefully. For years, they have made our women experience these things in this country. They have made mothers going to the oath ceremony in military service experience these things at university gates, in public institutions and organizations. Unfortunately, the misogyny and anti-freedom mentality of this mindset has not ended. We will follow up on everything, from the civil constitution to the guarantee of headscarf and clothing issues. Mayor Zeynep is Anatolia. Mayor Zeynep represents Anatolia and all of us. We will not leave her rights anywhere, hopefully. The case will be followed up."
"I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO LABEL ME" Mayor Zeynep Güneş reminded that she had also attended group meetings in previous years, wearing these clothes at that time, and did not receive any reaction from anyone.
Using the expression "What happens when you become a mayor?" Güneş asked, "I live in this country, I am a person of this country. I have not done any harm to this country, I love my country and my homeland. I do not want anyone to label me. Is it a shame to be a farmer? Is it a shame to wear a headscarf?"
Emphasizing that they will continue the struggle on this issue, Güneş said, "She does not like her own grandmother's customs. What are we going to make her like?"
"BEING HUMILIATED IN THIS WAY IS TRULY SAD" Güneş, who could not hold back her tears during her speech, continued her words as follows:
"This struggle is all of ours, it is also the struggle of future generations. Being lynched, being despised, and a person who belongs to the soil of this homeland being humiliated in this way is truly a very sad thing.
A mother should not rely on her child for comfort. It saddens me when my son calls and says, "Don't be upset about these things, mom." The child I should be comforting is the one who comforts me. Such a thing cannot be. It makes one sad. Therefore, grant us our constitutional rights, Mr. President. Dress and attire need to become a constitutional right in this country. We must transition to a civil constitution as soon as possible. "
WHAT HAPPENED? Mehmet Emin Korkmaz, a member of the İYİ Party, targeted Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş through her headscarf and attire on his social media account.
HE WAS DETAINED According to a statement from the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an investigation was initiated against the suspect for the crime of "inciting hatred and hostility" due to a post made by the social media user with the nickname "MEKorkmazTR" on the social media platform of the US-based X company, against Mayor Güneş.
HE WAS ARRESTED Upon the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, İYİ Party member Mehmet Emin Korkmaz was arrested as a result of the investigation and work carried out by the Provincial Security Directorate.