Gülen extends condolences to MHP over official's death

Prominent Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who also inspired the faith-based Hizmet movement, issued a message of condolence to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) officials regarding the death of the party's media adviser, Cengiz Yücel Akyıldız, who was killed during an attack outside a party office on Sunday.

Gunmen attacked a group of MHP members on Sunday during a visit by Rasim Acar, the MHP's İstanbul mayoral candidate, to inaugurate its office set up to coordinate upcoming local elections in the Esenyurt district of western İstanbul.

Seven people were wounded during the shooting spree and Akyıldız, the party's media adviser, died at Esenyurt State Hospital.

Gülen, in a message, expressed his condolences for Akyıldız's death, condemning the brutal act. Gülen stated: “In such a delicate and sensitive period we are going through, I happened to learn about the sad death of dear Cengiz Yücel Akyıldız and felt sorry for his death. I extend my condolences to the leader of the MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, a leader who has common sense and who has always abided by the rules of democracy in his work and also to the MHP deputies and all party supporters.”

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) also conveyed its condolences over the death of Akyıldız, saying they have been saddened by the dreadful news of his death. The GYV, in its message, highlighted that the country is going through a period in which hatred and outrage is being sparked among the public and the nation is rapidly becoming polarized.

The message said, “We hope this inhuman attack will be unraveled and the perpetrators of this crime will soon be caught and sent to court.”

Published on Today's Zaman, 28 January 2014, Tuesday