10 years ago - Necla Kelek - Turk, Turk above all?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech in Düsseldorf was rightly criticized at the time. What has improved in the meantime? Here is another draft of a speech he should have given:

The morning before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to Germany last Sunday, he attended a child protection congress in Istanbul. He recommended that the children take inspiration from Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror of Constantinople, and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkey. He said: "You are the age when Fatih conquered Istanbul. You are the mustafas of the future."

Like a sultan in front of his subjects in Constantinople's hippodrome, Erdogan let himself be cheered on by his Turks, chosen by mosque associations, in the pop arena in Düsseldorf that evening and gave an election campaign speech that couldn't have been worse. He didn't speak to the assimilated and integrated Turks and Germans, but to his Muslim brothers and sisters. If Erdogan were a statesman who penetrated the European idea and who stood up for Europe, who reflected on Turkey's politics and stood up for the integration of people in a different environment, he would not have acted as if he were visiting relatives in Düsseldorf. He would have given a different speech and, first of all, he wouldn't have called people first like an Abi, a big brother, but would have used them respectfully. And that speech could have gone like this:

"Ladies and gentlemen,

You had to leave your country, your homeland, your family’s 50 years ago because Turkey was not able to give you work, security, health care and your children an adequate education at the time. I deeply regret this and am infinitely grateful for the opportunities that Europe has given you over the years. They were willing to accept the hardest work under the most difficult conditions in order to build a better life in their new homeland. Both of our countries benefited from you. Germany for your diligence and we for the financial support you gave to the families in Turkey and all the houses you built there.

I know that many are now living in Germany in the second and third generation and many of you have decided to become citizens of this country. In doing so, they have shown that they are willing to take responsibility for their new home and want to help shape society there. Your children are therefore part of German society and speak the language of this country. This is exemplary. Among them are doctors, entrepreneurs, writers, workers and civil servants. And I wish you every success on this path.

There are also those of you who are at home in both cultures, Turkish and German. They are the bridge that brings the best of both cultures to life and brings it to us. Others would like to come back but are afraid of how they will find their way in the homeland of their fathers. We will help these people to integrate in Turkey. Because we need their wealth of experience to continue building our country and becoming part of Europe.

But there is also a not inconsiderable number of you who have not really left their village and want to continue living their old traditions here as if nothing had happened. In this way, however, they also prevent their children and grandchildren from progressing. I'm telling you, you must also leave the village in spirit, because these villages have no future in Turkey either. Seize the opportunity to do more with your life and help your children to get on their feet.

The Koran was also in your luggage. Religious freedom in Germany gives you the opportunity to build mosques and live as believers. This is a human right and we believe that we must ensure that this human right can also be lived in Turkey. Christians should get their churches and the Alevis their Cem houses. We must live our religion in such a way that it is there for people and gives comfort. In doing so, we must also check whether outdated traditions and customs are legitimated in the name of religion. Because religion is part of our freedom and is the concern of each individual.

If we want to build a common world, then we must work together for human rights and the right of every individual to freedom and happiness. You here and I in my place."

Erdogan didn't say any of this, and his tone was different. He didn't speak like a politician on a private visit, but like a sultan to his people and at the same time in the flattering tone of a big brother. He addresses his audience on a first-name basis and makes every Turk part of his family. He is the chief to be loved and respected. He says you are Turks and you will remain Turks, no matter where you live, whether you have a German passport or not. It remains unsaid that the Turkish authorities are trying to prevent a Turk from giving up their passport by any means necessary. Yes, Erdogan's consulates send the Turkish passport to the ex-citizens. Now they are also supposed to get a "mavi kart," a blue card that is supposed to tie them to their country of origin forever. Once a Turk, always a Turk?

He says become engineers, doctors and doctors, but do it for us. Raise your children in the faith, teach them Turkish first, join in, but don't conform. He is acting as the protecting power of the Turks in Germany and Libya, as if the situation were comparable and the Turks in Germany had no rights as under Gaddafi. Indirectly, he calls on the Turks to be disloyal to Germany according to the motto: Turkey first. He conveys to the Turks that they are the ambassadors of Turkishness and Islam. In other words, he repeats his speech to the children: "You are Fatih Sultan Mehmet and you are Ataturk."

Source: Die Welt