ISTANBUL – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended early Mother’s Day greetings and emphasized the importance of family values during the “Strong Family with Mother, Strong Turkey Program.” He expressed gratitude to the AK Party Women’s Branches and all contributors to the program.
Honoring Mothers and Martyrs
“I congratulate all our mothers in advance for Mother’s Day,” President Erdoğan stated. “No matter what we do, we can never repay their rights. I pray to God for all our mothers to have a blessed, happy, and prosperous life with their families, children, and loved ones. I remember all our mothers who have passed away, especially my dear mother, with mercy, gratitude, and respect. May God illuminate their graves and grant them paradise.”
He also paid tribute to the mothers of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation. “I especially celebrate Mother’s Day of the esteemed mothers of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the waving of the sacred crescent, the survival of our dear homeland, and the independence and future of our nation. I kiss the hands of each one of them. I respectfully salute the valuable mothers of our veterans who paid heavy prices for these lands, the legacy of our martyrs, and congratulate them all on Mother’s Day. We are immensely proud of the parents who raised these patriotic children, devoted to their country, flag, and state, and deeply in love with their nation, each a symbol of courage and compassion. May God be pleased with them all. I remember all the mothers of our martyrs and veterans who have passed away with deep respect.”
Remembering Gazan Mothers
President Erdoğan also expressed his condolences for the Gazan mothers who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. “Similarly, I remember with mercy all the Gazan mothers who reached the level of martyrdom, leaving behind thousands of orphans with tearful eyes and sorrowful hearts in the brutal genocide that has been going on in Palestine for 19 months.”
Emphasis on Family and Societal Values
“In our belief and tradition, mothers hold a sacred place. Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers,” President Erdoğan emphasized. He shared a personal anecdote about his mother, highlighting the deep emotional bond. “Just as the foundation of society is the family, the foundation of the family is the mother. We have always stood by our mothers, from improving working conditions to providing social assistance. We have allocated 61 percent of our social assistance to women. The number of our disabled brothers and sisters benefiting from home care services has exceeded 544,000. The number of disabled citizens working in the public sector has reached 73,800. We will continue to strengthen the family institution.”
Measures against “LGBT” trends
President Erdoğan highlighted government initiatives to support families. “We have accelerated our birth and marriage assistance in 2025, which we declared the Year of the Family. We provide 5,000 Turkish Liras for the first child as birth assistance. We are keeping the promise we made to the nation in the elections. We are taking necessary measures against the perverse trends called LGBT.”
