An event invitation issued by the AKP Erdemli District Chairmanship in Mersin sparked public backlash after it included the phrase “Blessed Birth Week,” a term previously associated with the Gülen movement and banned for its perceived propaganda value.
The initial social media post, shared on April 22, 2026, promoted a local gathering featuring a concert by singer Celal Karatüre and regional food offerings. However, the invitation’s wording—“You are invited to our Blessed Birth Week Event”—immediately drew criticism online, with users accusing the party of reviving terminology linked to FETÖ, the group designated as a terrorist organization by the Turkish government following the 2016 coup attempt.
In response to the growing controversy, the district chairmanship revised the post, replacing “Blessed Birth Week” with “Mawlid al-Nabi Week,” the officially recognized Islamic observance celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s birth. The change was made after complaints intensified and a citizen, Mahmut Dölek, filed a formal complaint with the Erdemli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleging that the use of the banned phrase constituted an act contrary to state decisions and counter-terrorism sensitivities.
Authorities had previously banned events labeled “Blessed Birth Week” during April months, stating they were designed to glorify the birth of FETÖ’s leader. The term was officially replaced with “Mawlid al-Nabi Week” via a Cabinet decision in 2017, aligning observances with the Islamic calendar under the Directorate of Religious Affairs.
Despite the correction, the incident escalated beyond social media, with critics arguing the initial use of the phrase reflected either negligence or an intentional attempt to reintroduce contested terminology into public discourse. The case has been forwarded to judicial authorities for further review.
