‘Call to Prayer’ Allegations of Erdoğan on Headlines of Newspapers Close to AKP

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After President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed that the women who attended the feminist night march in Taksim on March 8 "whistled the call to prayer", his allegations have hit the headlines of newspapers close to the government.

Based on a video, which shows that while women were protesting the police officers by whistling and chanting slogans after they did not let the 17th Feminist Night March, the call to prayer was being recited from a nearby mosque, President Erdoğan claimed,

"A group of women, who came together in Taksim for the so-called women's day under the leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), behaved rudely towards the call the prayer by blowing whistles and chanting slogans."

In response to these statements, the Initiative for the 17th Feminist Night March released a written statement and said, "Don't Distort It, Our Revolt is Against Police Barricade."

After Erdoğan made those remarks, different groups gathered in Taksim yesterday (March 10) and marched by shouting "Allahu Akbar" and chanting the slogan, "May the hands reaching for the call to prayer be broken."

CLICK - Erdoğan Said 'They Whistled Call to Prayer', Marches of Call to Prayer Held in Taksim

Pro-government newspapers Sabah, Akşam, Star, Yeni Şafak, Yeni Akit, Türkiye and Güneş reported the allegations of Erdoğan in their headlines:

Sabah: "They are the Enemies of the Call to Prayer and Flag"

"President Erdoğan spoke at election rallies in Adana, Mersin, İskenderun: Their sole alliance is the enmity towards the call to prayer and flag."

Akşam: "Alliance of Whistling Call to Prayer"

"Republican People's Party (CHP), İYİ Party and Felicity Party (SP) ally with Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which does not sing the national anthem, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) openly supports them.

"Afterwards, in the 'women's march' led by the CHP-HDP, the call to prayer was whistled, members of the FETÖ* opened banners."

Akit: "Struggle Against Enemies of Call to Prayer Our Debt of Honor"

"President Erdoğan said, 'A group who came together in Taksim for the so-called Women's Day under the leadership of CHP and HDP behaved rudely towards the call the prayer with whistles and slogans. Struggling against the enemies of call to prayer is our debt of honor. The ones who do not respect the call to prayer would not respect the flag either."

Güneş: "Whoever Whistles Call to Prayer Would Applaud Enemy"

"President Erdoğan has slammed the scandal displayed in Taksim at the pretext of International Women's Day. Erdoğan defined the whistling of call to prayer by members of CHP and HDP in the illegal demonstration as an assault against the liberty of Turkey."

Star: "Enemies of the Call to Prayer and Flag"

"President Erdoğan has shown a harsh response to the impertiness displayed towards the call to prayer in event led by the CHP and HDP: It is our debt of honor to stand against the enemies of the homeland, nation, flag and call to prayer."

Türkiye: "They are Partners in Enemity"

"The ones who do not lay claim to call to prayer would applaud the enemy when they pound at our door, just as they did on July 15 [coup attempt]."

Yeni Şafak: "They are Enemies of Call to Prayer, Flag"

"President Erdoğan has shown a harsh response to the whistling of call to prayer in Women's Day march led by the CHP and HDP: They directly attack our liberty and future by disrespecting our flag and call to prayer. Their only alliance is enmity of call to prayer and flag."

(EKN/SD)

* Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which is held responsible for the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.