Politicians exchange Eid celebrations amid tense political environment in Turkey

Politicians have exchanged Eid al-Fitr celebrations through video conferences amid a tense political environment in Turkey. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said it won't exchange greetings with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Future Party and the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA). A similar stance was adopted by its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which won't talk to İYİ (Good) Party in addition to the aforementioned three.

Duvar English

Politicians have exchanged Eid al-Fitr celebrations through video conferences amid a tense political environment in Turkey.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said it won't exchange greetings with the Kurdish issue-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Future Party and the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA).

A similar stance was adopted by its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which won't talk to İYİ (Good) Party in addition to the aforementioned three.

Both the Future and DEVA parties were founded by former high-level AKP officials, while the İYİ Party was founded by MHP dissidents.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, is known as a time to end all grudges, during which families come together to celebrate.

Politicians also released messages to celebrate Eid. In his message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged the public to observe the Muslim festival indoors due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We would all wish that we could be next to our beloved ones as we were in previous Eids. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected our country as well together with the entire world, we have to spend this Eid in our homes," Erdoğan said.

"We, as the family of humanity, are going through a tough test during this pandemic process. Thanks be to Allah, our country, as the state and the nation, is doing quite well in this test,” he added.

"I pray to my Lord that we will all reach next Ramadan with health and peace. I once again congratulate you on Eid al-Fitr," he also said.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu cited CHP municipalities' efforts to tackle the economic effects of the pandemic in his message, as he wished for love, respect, peace and fraternity.

HDP co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar also celebrated Eid with messages of peace, freedom and justice.

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli visited the grave of Alparslan Türkeş, the party's founder, to pay respects.

İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener wished for future Eids to be coronavirus-free.

DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan, Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu and Felicity Party leader Temel Karamollaoğlu released videos to mark the Eid.

Former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who has been in jail since Nov. 4, 2016 on charges related to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has also marked Eid on Twitter.

"I wish for Eids in peace, freedom and health where everyone is with their loved ones," read Demirtaş's message.

The tweet also featured a picture of Demirtaş with his parents.

Topics AKP CHP Future Party HDP Selahattin Demirtaş Turkish Parliament MHP Turkish politics Ali Babacan İYİ Party Islam Felicity Party Mithat Sancar Pervin Buldan President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Devlet Bahçeli DEVA DEVA leader Ali Babacan Muslims Meral Akşener Eid al-Fitr Muslims in Turkey Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu