27.10.2025 23:11
In a program where he made evaluations regarding current issues, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, stated that the era of rejection, denial, and assimilation in Turkey is behind us. He said, "It is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to engage in political division by using their mother tongue as an excuse. Everyone's mother tongue is as legitimate as mother's milk."
TBMM President Numan Kurtulmuş met with representatives of civil society organizations and opinion leaders at a program held at the Balıkesir Teacher's House, where he made statements regarding the 'Terror-free Turkey' process.
"THE PRESSURES ON THE IDENTITIES OF OUR KURDISH BROTHERS CAN NO LONGER BE A SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION"
Stating that the era of rejection, denial, and assimilation in Turkey is behind us, Kurtulmuş noted: "The pressures on the identities of our Kurdish brothers, who constitute an important segment of society in Turkey, can no longer be a subject of discussion. Everyone must develop their own culture and accept their own identity as it is. We must also accept different identities, but I want to emphasize that accepting different identities does not mean to divide, segregate, or otherize society based on different identities.
"EVERYONE'S MOTHER TONGUE IS AS HALAL AS MOTHER'S MILK"
Last week, while concluding my speech at the university in Diyarbakır, I ended with a Kurdish couplet. It was a phrase meaning 'Let us be one, let us be together, hand in hand, heart to heart, let there be peace, let there be brotherhood.' I believe that saying this as the Speaker of the Parliament opens an important door, but it is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to be politically divided using their mother tongue as an excuse. Everyone's mother tongue is as halal as mother's milk. My mother is Turkish. That is why I know Turkish. If someone else's mother is from a different ethnic background, they should speak in their mother's language as they wish. Because this is a requirement of our culture and belief."
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT"
Stating that they accept mother tongues not as a means of division, cultural differentiation, or otherization, but as a manifestation of divine mercy, TBMM President Kurtulmuş said, "We will not allow anyone to make a division based on this."