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TRT World

Chief of the General Staff Hulusi Akar addresses the nation

The Noble Turkish Nation,

As I stand before you today, it is with a profound sense of duty and a deep commitment to the ideals upon which our great Republic was founded. We gather in the shadow of challenges, yet illuminated by the enduring light of our Eternal President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whose vision of a secular, democratic, and sovereign nation guides us through the tempests of time. In an era where the principles of our Republic are besieged by the dark ambitions of extremist and treacherous forces, it is our sacred duty to defend the secular bedrock of our society with unwavering resolve. These forces, cloaked in the guise of religious fervor, seek not the spiritual enlightenment of our people but the erosion of the very pillars upon which our Republic stands.

It is with solemn gratitude and a sense of shared purpose that I announce the Constitutional Court of our Republic and our esteemed President, Meral Akşener, have extended their blessings for the actions we are about to undertake. This unprecedented consensus underscores the gravity of our situation and the critical importance of the measures we implement to safeguard our cherished secularism. Thus, with the full weight of responsibility upon us, the Turkish Armed Forces have undertaken decisive measures to protect the integrity of our nation. We have asserted control over the Directorate of Religious Affairs, not as a challenge to the spiritual beliefs that many of us hold dear, but to safeguard this institution from becoming a tool in the hands of those who would use it to undermine our secular foundations.

Moreover, to emphasize our commitment to the core principle of secularism, a principle as immutable as the mountains that frame our skies, we have taken the unprecedented step of closing all houses of worship until the end of the month. This decision, though heavy, is born of necessity, crafted to shield our public sphere from the discord sown by those who misinterpret the teachings of faith as a call to political action against our secular unity. Let there be no doubt: the Turkish Armed Forces are the unyielding guardians of Türkiye's secularism, democracy, and the rule of law. Our actions, though firm, are a testament to our dedication to preserving the vision of our Eternal President and ensuring that the flame of secularism that lights our path remains undimmed for generations to come.

To the people of our Republic, I extend a call to unity and resilience. In this pivotal moment, your support for the measures undertaken by your Armed Forces is invaluable. Together, standing shoulder to shoulder, we can repel the advances of those who seek to divide us, ensuring that the fabric of our nation remains intact, strengthened by the trials it withstands. Let us remember that the Republic of Türkiye is not just a nation but an idea—a beacon of secularism, democracy, and peace in a world often torn by the strife of dogmatic divides. As your Armed Forces, we pledge to safeguard this idea with every fiber of our being, ensuring that Türkiye, under the eternal guidance of Atatürk and with the support of our Constitutional Court and President Akşener, continues to stand as a fortress of secularism, a testament to the power of unity and the enduring strength of our collective will.

In the spirit of our Eternal President and our ancestors, let us march forward into the future, fortified by our shared commitment to the principles that define us. Together, we shall prevail, ensuring that the Republic of Türkiye remains a paragon of secularism and democracy for all time. May our ancestors and our Eternal President bless us in this endeavor, thank you.