Imprisoned Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu sends Bayram message, decries economic crisis

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently detained, addressed the public with a Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice) message delivered through an artificial intelligence video. Shared by his Presidential Candidacy Office, the message conveyed wishes for a holiday filled with love and unity for all 86 million citizens, urging a departure from divisive sentiments.

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I wish you a holiday filled with love and hope for all 86 million of our citizens, far from mentalities that do not love their nation, that divide, and carry feelings of hatred and anger.

Speaking from Silivri Marmara Prison, İmamoğlu acknowledged the hardship of celebrating the holiday away from his family and loved ones. He emphasized that while visits offer some solace, a part of him always feels incomplete. He drew strength from the support and affection he receives, expressing unwavering faith in society's conscience and the nation's sense of justice.

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Our country has been experiencing one of the most devastating economic crises in our history for a very long time. I know there are millions who cannot do their holiday shopping, let alone perform the ritual of sacrifice, who cannot buy new clothes for their children or give pocket money to their grandchildren.

İmamoğlu drew pointed attention to Turkey's dire economic situation, describing it as one of the most devastating economic crises in the nation's history. He stated his awareness of millions of people unable to afford holiday shopping, let alone the ritual sacrifice, unable to buy new clothes for their children or give pocket money to their grandchildren. He lamented that the holiday is being observed under the shadow of inequality, injustice, and poverty.

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We will leave these days behind with our solidarity, unity, and togetherness.

Despite the current difficulties, İmamoğlu projected a message of hope and resilience. He asserted that through solidarity and unity, these challenging times will be overcome. He pledged to restore justice and prosperity to the country, rebuilding democracy, equality, and the rule of law to usher in free, hopeful, and bright days for all. He concluded by wishing for justice, peace, prosperity, and abundance for Turkey and the world.

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We will bring justice, then abundance, to our country. By re-establishing democracy, equality, and the rule of law, we will all walk together towards free, hopeful, and bright days.