Charity organizations in Türkiye are preparing to deliver the donations of philanthropists during Ramadan to those in need at home and around the world, especially in Gaza. Within the scope of aid activities to be carried out through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) during Ramadan, it is aimed to provide support to millions of people living in different geographies. Donations entrusted by philanthropists will be delivered to those in need under the headings of food, shelter and humanitarian aid.

SIDE THE OPENED

Turkish Red Crescent, which started its work with the slogan “This Ramadan, we stand by those who are alone”, aims to reach a total of 7.5 million people at home and abroad. Planning to deliver cash aid worth 410 million liras to a total of 891 thousand people this year, the Red Crescent aims to provide 333 million liras of support to 686 thousand people within the scope of food aid. In addition, the Red Crescent will serve iftar and sahur to 61 thousand people every day in 45 soup kitchens. Turkish Religious Foundation, in cooperation with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, will organize the 2026 Ramadan aid program with the theme “Don’t Forget Your Brothers, You Are the Expected”. With the aid program, we will support those in need in the spiritual climate of this month and share their joy of Ramadan. Activities will be organized through volunteers and staff, with the support of philanthropists, and aid will be delivered to those in need. The Foundation will distribute 93 thousand 488 shopping aid cards domestically. AA

WE WILL BE HOPE

DENİZ Feneri Association aims to reach 1 million people in 30 countries, including Türkiye, with the slogan “Share Your Table in Ramadan”. The Federation of Associations That Value Human Beings (IDDEF) is preparing to be a hope in the oppressed and aggrieved geographies around the world, especially in the ongoing human tragedy in Gaza, with the slogan “May it be blessed with you”. IDDEF will support those in need in 310 regions in 56 countries throughout Ramadan. This year, Sadakataşı Association will carry out its Ramadan activities in 27 countries, especially Türkiye, Palestine and Islamic geographies, with the call “Ramadan Illuminates”.

An investigation was launched against CHP member Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested on March 23, 2025, as part of the corruption investigation, for espionage. In the digital materials examined by Hüseyin Gün, who was arrested for espionage, an arrest warrant was issued for Ekrem İmamoğlu, Necati Özkan and TELE1 founder Merdan Yanardağ for cooperating in the 2019 local election campaign and leaking confidential information about voters. With the indictment prepared within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, imprisonment of İmamoğlu, Hüseyin Gün, Necati Özkan and Merdan Yanardağ was requested from 15 to 20 years each. The prepared indictment was accepted by the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. The court ruled that the first hearing of the case would be held in Silivri on May 11.

INSTRUCTION FROM İMAMOĞLU

In the accepted indictment, it was stated that İmamoğlu aimed to gain political benefit by transferring citizens’ personal information to foreign intelligence service members. It was included in the indictment that the data in question was provided by Necati Özkan and that Gün transferred Özkan’s many e-mail addresses and passwords belonging to the municipality, especially “ibb.gov.tr”, to the underground digital environment of the internet world called “Ostin”, under the instructions of İmamoğlu.

Aaron Barr

In the indictment, it was stated that foreign intelligence service personnel Aaron Barr, Necati Özkan and Hüseyin Gün stepped in to remove the IMM 2019 data copying process from the agenda. It was determined that the suspects, acting together, created a perception and worked to remove the copying issue from the agenda. It was pointed out that the data copying took place with İmamoğlu’s permission letter, and in his effective statement of regret, Gün obtained the citizen’s information in exchange for İmamoğlu’s election campaign.

Merdan Yanardag

HIS MAIN PURPOSE WAS SOMETHING ELSE

The indictment stated, “In light of all the information, documents and explanations, it has been understood that the crime of ‘political espionage’ was aimed at having a say in Turkish politics, especially in Istanbul, by ensuring that the suspect Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was supported by manipulating the 2019 local elections, won the election, and activities were carried out in this direction.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the governors’ meeting program held at the Presidential Complex. “The governorship is the reflection of the state on the field. The governor is the meeting point of the citizen and the state,” said President Erdoğan, adding that there should be no power poisoning in serving the nation. Erdoğan warned the governors about social media and said, “Scenes that do not suit the seriousness of our state are emerging… I believe that you will show the highest level of sensitivity on this issue.”

OUR BODY IS UNDER THE STONE

By initiating the terror-free Türkiye process, we put not only our hands but also our bodies under the responsibility to break the half-century-old bloody shackle that has been placed on our nation. Despite the dark forces that want to sabotage the process, we have been managing the process with great sensitivity and exceptional success for 16 months.

I am sending our messages of solidarity to my Gazan brothers. As long as we support each other and heal our wounds, I express once again that those beautiful days when peace and stability will reign in our region and geography are very close. As long as we stand tall against oppression and oppressors. Let’s protect our faith and dreams. Then there will be no trap, game or scenario that we cannot break. Peace and tranquility are very close in our region.

Speaking to journalists after returning from Ethiopia, President Erdoğan said that they are determinedly walking towards the path of a terror-free Türkiye. In his address to the governors in Ankara, he said, “We put our bodies under the responsibility to break the half-century-old bloody shackles that have been placed on our nation’s feet.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists’ questions on the plane returning from his visit to Ethiopia. Stating that they completed their one-day visit to Addis Ababa upon the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Erdoğan expressed his great pleasure in visiting Ethiopia after approximately 11 years. Stating that they discussed the necessary steps to reach the 1 billion dollar trade volume target during the visit, Erdogan’s speech was highlighted as follows:

APPROACHING 35 BILLION DOLLARS

As you know, we increased the number of embassies on the continent to 44. When we took over the power, this number was 12. The embassies of 38 African countries are currently operating in Ankara. Turkish contractors have undertaken more than 2 thousand projects in Africa with a total value of 100 billion dollars. The market value of our investments across the continent exceeded 15 billion dollars. In 2025, our foreign trade volume with the continent will increase by 10 percent, approaching 35 billion dollars. Tens of thousands of students from different corners of the continent are currently studying at Turkish universities. Türkiye graduates take on active roles in every field from politics to business, from academia to civil society in many African countries.

WE WALK WITH DETERMINATION

(Terror-free Türkiye process) We have set out to do a good job and hopefully we will achieve it. This strong will in our country has also spread to Syria. Alhamdulillah, we are walking on this path with patience, wisdom and determination. At the end of this path, I hope the terrorism problem that has harmed our country for years will be removed from our agenda forever.

WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE USA AND IRAN

(Crisis between Iran and the USA) We want the problems to be solved through dialogue. We are in contact with both countries at the highest level. That’s the last time I met with the President of Iran. The next day I had my meeting with US President Trump. We will continue to explain that rising tensions will drag our region into further uncertainty. As long as the door of diplomacy is open, there is hope. We will protect and strengthen this hope.

THE INVITATION HAS RECEIVED, WE WILL PARTICIPATE

(Gaza Peace Board) An invitation has arrived for the Peace Board meeting. We will attend the meeting as Türkiye. Since it coincides with the first day of Ramadan, our Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan will represent our country at the meeting.

THEY ADDED STRENGTH TO OUR STRENGTH

(Hate speech against Eskişehir Mihalgazi Mayor Zeynep Güneş): The struggle of our sister Zeynep in Mihalgazi is not an ordinary struggle. After our phone conversation, 200 people packed the buses from Mihalgazi and attended our group meeting that day, adding further strength to us. Hopefully, with the support we give to sister Zeynep, we will strive to keep her much more successful both in Eskişehir and throughout the country.

CORRUPTION SURROUNDED CHP

The situation CHP finds itself in is too complicated to be explained by the dynamics of politics. Mr. Chairman, everywhere he goes, heaps insult after insult on me and my friends. You can’t get anywhere with these insults. That’s why we are not interested in the swamp that CHP has fallen into. We mind our business. I hope we continue on our way like this.

SURROUNDED BY CORRUPTION, THEFT, BRIBERY

Now CHP is actually in a very different trap. Corruption, theft and bribery gangs, on the one hand, and extras who are the embodiment of incompetent and incompetent politics, on the other hand, surround the CHP. Foot tricks, certain daggers, and intra-party conspiracies have shifted the CHP’s political ground considerably. It is not possible to explain this simply as lack of vision, incompetence and foresight. We will stand tall. We will not get erect. But we will not leave the field empty for CHP. We are looking at the Kılıçdaroğlu period.

We have witnessed many times that CHP engages in politics with the language of threats, blackmail and insults. But at this point, the CHP Chairman has also cursed the mayor of his own party. Immediately afterwards, CHP deputies attempted to attack the oath ceremony of ministers in our Gazi Parliament. If you are a politician doing politics in the CHP, you are doomed to be cursed, lynched, insulted, and threatened as soon as you criticize the Headquarters administration and those who manage them, even in the slightest way.

WE WILL NOT CARE ABOUT THE HORNY GROAD

President Erdoğan said, “We will never deviate from what we know to be true, without paying attention to the delusions of the horny mob who cannot tolerate our nation living its faith freely even though there has been no intervention in their way of life for 23 years, there is no discussion of secularism in Turkey, and their areas of freedom are not restricted in any way. Those who want to overshadow the joy of Ramadan of 86 million people with the declarations they publish, will cause discord among our nation, in Ramadan, the month of unity and brotherhood.” “We will not say goodbye to polarizing our people,” he said.

IF NECESSARY, BE LIKE HAZRAT OMER

The gate of the state is the gate of need. Our people are ashamed and proud. He doesn’t open his heart to everyone. He does not tell everyone about his troubles and troubles in public. Especially, he does not share his wishes and needs with everyone. That’s why you will seek out our brothers and sisters in need and come to their aid. If necessary, you will go door to door like Hazrat Omar, identify problems on the spot and solve them. With the spread of social media and digital platforms, a significant part of communication activities have shifted here. However, these media sometimes miss the mark. Scenes that do not befit the seriousness of our state are emerging… I believe that you will show the highest level of sensitivity on this issue.

Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Knowledge Dissemination Foundation, and Abdullah Eren, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), attended the opening ceremony of the Dhaka University Health Center, renovated by TIKA, in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Stating that Türkiye has come a long way in terms of economic growth, political influence capacity and regional capabilities under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Bilal Erdoğan stated that Ankara is in a position to contribute not only to regional peace but also to global peace.

Stating that Erdoğan is a sought-after leader in terms of his thoughts, ideas and contributions to world affairs, Bilal Erdoğan said, “Turkey is the only power in the world today that defends a more just order and a better global system design.” Referring to President Erdoğan’s statement “The world is bigger than five”, Bilal Erdoğan reminded that there was a call for a more fair United Nations (UN) order. Evaluating that Türkiye and Bangladesh are two countries that have a deep-rooted history and maintain their relations on the basis of mutual respect, Erdoğan gave the message that the two countries can develop more cooperation and partnership. Türkiye’s Ambassador to Dhaka Ramis Şen, former football player Mesut Özil and many Bangladeshis attended the ceremony.

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) shared a post on its social media account regarding the 74th anniversary of Türkiye’s NATO membership. The following statements were used in the post made on the Ministry’s NSosyal account:

“74 years in NATO…

Respected ally for world peace!

Our country continues to make significant contributions to NATO, of which it has been a member since February 18, 1952.

As a country with the second largest army in NATO, Türkiye is among the top five countries that contribute the most to NATO with the support it provides to its operations and missions.

“As a strong and reliable member of NATO, our country will continue to make significant contributions to NATO, as it has done so far.”

74 years in NATO… Respected ally for world peace! 🇹🇷 Our country continues to make significant contributions to NATO, of which it has been a member since February 18, 1952. As a country with the second largest army in NATO, Türkiye contributes the most to NATO with the support it provides to its operations and missions… pic.twitter.com/WCrBeNiq81

— Turkish Ministry of National Defense (@tcsavunma) February 18, 2026