Row in parliament over ‘army of imam’ comment
A ROW erupted in Parliament when National Education and Culture Minister Cemal Özyiğit said that Turkish Cypriots would “protect themselves” from the “army of the imam” — which some opposition MPs took as a reference to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Mr Özyiğit sparked the furore during a debate on the four-party coalition government’s programme, which had been presented to MPs last Friday.
Taking to the podium to speak on education policy amid booing and shouts, the Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader and former teacher and trade unionist said: “The Turkish Cypriot people held on to Atatürk’s principles and revolution during the [British] colonial period, and protected their beliefs . . . culture and values . . . They protected themselves against the [Greek Orthodox] priest and, do not worry, they will also protect themselves against the army of the imam.”
The remarks drew the ire of MPs from the two opposition parties, the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP).
Furious UBP MP Zorlu Töre, who is also the parliamentary Deputy Speaker, responded: “Your words . . . are directed at . . . [Mr] Erdoğan, and the ‘army’ you are referring to is the Turkish army. These words are utterly unacceptable.”
Carrying on despite heckling from Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Doğuş Derya, Mr Töre continued: “Mr Özyiğit took down the photo of [former Turkish Prime Minister] Bülent Ecevit that hung on the wall at the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union [when he was its chairman], saying these lands are under ‘occupation’ at a press conference. His stance remains the same . . . They are saying that Turkey is a fascist . . . that Turkey is a murderer.”
Ms Derya could then be heard calling Mr Töre a “retard”, to which Mr Töre replied: “If you can’t tolerate what I am saying then get out! We have been listening to you all with respect since the morning . . . We can put forward our own views.”
Returning to the stand, Mr Özyiğit — who later wrote on social media, following pressure from YDP MP Bertan Zaroğlu, that his “imam” comment had referred to US-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, who Turkey accuses of masterminding the failed coup attempt in 2016 — said his words had been “twisted”.
“The whole of Turkey is hunting this prey . . . and everyone knows [who this is],” he said. “The claims by Mr Töre are absolutely untrue. Who I was referring to is very obvious.”
On Tuesday Mr Zaroğlu had called on Mr Özyiğit to explain his remarks, claiming they were a “reference to Mr Erdoğan and the Turkish army” and calling them an “extremely ugly and inappropriate analogy”.
On Wednesday Ms Derya apologised for her outburst in Parliament, telling Kıbrıs TV that she “could not help herself when certain words were uttered by Mr Töre”.
She said she got on well with Mr Töre and “respected him as an elected MP”.