Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral Dismissed After Azerbaijan Headscarf Remarks

Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral was dismissed from his position after social media posts criticizing Azerbaijan's ban on headscarves in schools. Saral had posted on October 13 that preventing headscarved students from their right to education was unacceptable and that such an understanding should never be allowed in this era.

Journalist Fuat Uğur announced the dismissal to the public and expressed sadness, saying Saral was one of the presidential advisors he sympathized with. Uğur added that relations between states should be evaluated apart from personal ties, but that one side should not personalize the issues.

“What matters is the Republic of Turkey. What matters is the success of Mr. President.”

Journalist Talat Atilla said he spoke with Saral by phone and conveyed their conversation. Saral confirmed he had been dismissed, stating that they do not stand against authorities, that the president appointed him, and that he left on the president's instruction. He said he bore no grudge against anyone.

Asked whether the dismissal was because of his remarks on Azerbaijan, Saral replied that it appeared so. He added that what matters is the Republic of Turkey and the success of the president.

Saral's original post had also said that leaving a veiled student at the school gate because of her faith could not fit any conscience or justice, that the headscarf is not an obstacle but a requirement of faith, and that the right to education cannot be sacrificed to any ideological imposition. He called on Azerbaijan to turn back from this mistake as soon as possible.