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Week 14 - Tuesday in Turkey, where a lot is happening nationally and closer to home for Gul

Edited BY 


G P Kennedy

 


GEOGRAPHY IS DESTINY

 In Turkey we often say: “Geography is destiny’.  Here is the place where everything and anything is possible. Between economic crisis and corrupt politics our destiny hasn’t changed a bit. In Turkey, the virus is still here but our domestic political conditions shape our daily life and seems more important than a pandemic.

 

Mabel Matiz

Turkey’s gay community fights homophobia alongside COVID-19 for example. Recently, the director of the state run religious affairs claimed homosexuals are spreading the virus.  And now, a question of last weekend’s university entrance exam is being called ‘scandalous’. A question involving lyrics of a singer Mabel Matiz has caused a lot of problems and now an official investigation has been started. The authorities and supporters said the question was set a bad example for young people as the singer is known for his open support of LGBT and some immoral institutions.  That makes me feel angry!

 

PANDEMIC AS AN EXCUSE


Social media is now a pandemic issue

 Another hot issue of this week; President Erdogan has been accused of using the coronavirus pandemic as a reason to tighten controls on the media. He plans to bring a draft bill to parliament to block/regulate social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Netflix (not Facebook).


 "Do you understand why we are against social media like YouTube, Twitter and Netflix? These platforms do not suit our nation. We want [legislation] brought to parliament to totally remove, control [them]" said our president last night.

 

In addition, the Union of Turkish Bar Association’s protest against a new bill is still ongoing. If the bill passed, lawyers loyal to President Erdogan will be able to form their own bar associations. Therefore, the top lawyers of Turkey are still protesting this days and nights.


Lawyers protesting

COVID UPDATE

 COVID cases increasing while death is decreasing in Turkey. There are still 1200 new cases and around 20 deaths every day. On a personal note, my nephew had a terrible bike accident yesterday and broke his shoulder and his arm. He’s been taken to a hospital that designated as a big pandemic hospital and had an emergency surgery there. Our family was worried about him for not just his surgery but also for the risks of COVID. He seems better today, although he might need another surgery later on.

 

FLYING DURING THE PANDEMIC


A better mask, ready to fly back to Istanbul

 We said we would only fly if we had to, for an emergency. But now, we have to fly to Istanbul and come back as some of Mike’s residency paperwork needs to be done. We’re not happy about this situation but we have to go. I bought us some better masks.

 

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