Turkish opposition leader under fire for kissing Kurdish singer’s hand

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, has drawn the ire of Turkish nationalists after he kissed the hand of a renowned Kurdish opera singer during a concert in Istanbul earlier this week. He said on Thursday that he does not regret it. 

Pervin Chakar, a Kurdish-Turkish singer who lives in Germany, on Sunday performed at a concert in Istanbul city. The event was attended by artists and politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). 

CHP Leader Ozel went to the stage, bowing down and kissing Chakar’s right hand after her vibrant performance. Hours later, Turkish nationalists took to social media, targeting the new leader of the Turkish oldest party for kissing the Kurdish singer’s hand. Turkish pro-government media and far right politicians expressed their anger at Ozel as well.

Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ally, on Tuesday slammed Ozel during a speech at the parliament, stating that it was “shameful” to kiss the hand of someone “who talks about Kurdistan and sees Turkey as an invader.” He noted that there are numerous women in the parliament if Ozel really wants to kiss the hand of a woman. 

“Lo Şivano” bi dengê xwe yê xweş @PervinChakar her hebî. Şeveka pêhempa bû. 🙏🏻💐 pic.twitter.com/py7cT4Sqmb

— Taylan Mintaş (@MintasTaylan) November 19, 2023

The Turkish pro-government described Chakar as “the enemy of Turkey” and “someone who wants [the establishment of] a Kurdish state and sees Turkey as an invader.” 

The CHP defeated the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the 2019 local elections - thanks to Kurdish voters. As provincial elections near, the party tries to maintain the support of the Kurds to maintain control of both municipalities. 

Chakar on Monday thanked Ozel and other politicians for attending her concert, stating that it is her “greatest right to sing in my native language.”

“Our values, culture, language, and art are the red line of Kurds, including me. Our door is open to everyone and every idea. I prefer to respond to racist and insulting words with my art because everything is temporary except for art,” she said. 

Ozel responded to the criticism on Thursday, reiterating his support for Chakar. 

“I have no regrets. I knew Pervin Chakar, but I had never listened to her live. I went to the concert, and I don't regret it. I listened and enjoyed it very much. If there is another chance, I will listen to her again. I don't think there is anything wrong with kissing the hand of a female artist when she extends her hand while giving flowers. I see kissing Pervin Chakar's hand as the value given to art, the artist and the identities they carry,” he told the independent Duvar news outlet.

He added that Chalar had been featured by the state-owned TRT Kurdi, which airs only in Kurdish, several times, calling on Bahceli to include Erdogan in his criticism as well.

Chakar was born to a Kurdish family in the Derik district of Mardin province in 1981. She has received several international awards. She has been living in Germany since 2016.

She said in August last year that her request to give a concert in her hometown of Mardin was rejected by Turkish authorities because her repertoire included Kurdish songs. 

Concerts of numerous Kurdish singers have been banned in Turkey for various reasons.

The Kurdish language had been banned in formal settings in Turkey since the establishment of the state until the AKP’s government partially removed the ban a decade ago, allowing Kurds to speak their language in informal settings and granting them the right to attend Kurdish elective courses at school and continue their studies in their mother tongue language at college. 

 

 

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