20.05.2025 21:01
The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, clarified his remarks that drew criticism from Alevi organizations. Kurtulmuş stated, "There is not a single sentence in my statement that would offend our Alevi citizens in any way. If even one Alevi brother or sister has been upset by this, I would like to express my sensitivity and sadness regarding that from here."
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Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmuş clarified his statements that drew reactions from Alevi organizations.
"I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SENSITIVITY AND SORROW FROM HERE"
During a session he chaired in the General Assembly, Kurtulmuş made a statement regarding the issue, saying, "There is not a single sentence in my statement that would ever offend our Alevi citizens. If it was understood that way, I would also like to express my sensitivity and sorrow from here if even one Alevi brother is upset by this."
"THERE IS NOT A SINGLE SENTENCE THAT WOULD EVER OFFEND OUR ALEVI CITIZENS"
Kurtulmuş used the following expressions: "I believe he referred to a speech I made in Şırnak, a speech I made in Gabar. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to prevent a misunderstanding. While narrating the historical brotherhood adventure of Anatolia in the entirety of that speech, when I gave examples from Selahattin Eyyubi, Sultan Alparslan, the Mervanis, the Shaddadis, and Idris Zibidlisi, there is not a single sentence in my statement that would ever offend our Alevi citizens. If it was understood that way, I would also like to express my sensitivity and sorrow from here if even one Alevi brother is upset by this.
"IT IS THE GREATEST BETRAYAL TO BE DONE IN OUR HISTORY"
What I said is exactly the opposite. That is, the Turks, Kurds, Alevis, and Sunnis of this country, whenever we have been one and together in the Anatolian lands, we have always had a history filled with victories and great joys. To separate Alevis from Sunnis, Turks from Kurds is actually the greatest betrayal to be done in our history. Moreover, both due to my title as the Speaker of the Assembly and as a person whose political life is evident every day, I have almost always cited the words of Hz. Ali Efendi, when he sent Mervan as the governor of Egypt, as an example. 'Know that, O Mervan, people are either equal in creation or brothers in religion.'
"WE DO NOT DISTINGUISH ANYONE WHO KNOWS ALLAH AND THE PROPHET FROM ONE ANOTHER"
We see all people either as our equals in creation and do not distinguish them in any way. Or we do not distinguish anyone who knows Allah and the Prophet from one another. Therefore, in our book, there is no distinction between Sunnis and Alevis, Alevi and Sunni. If it has been taken out of the context of my speech and has carried such a meaning, I express my sorrow if there is even one Alevi brother who is hurt by it."
WHAT DID HE SAY?
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, in his speech at the "Şırnak Civil Society Meeting" program held at Şırnak University yesterday, stated, "Another alliance is a great alliance made by Yavuz Sultan Selim and İdris-i Bitlisi against Shah Ismail, who inflicted oppression on the Anatolian lands from top to bottom. In 1514 at Çaldıran, that alliance ensured that the Muslim communities in Anatolia could stand taller, and coexist in peace and unity."
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