President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that all attempts to weaken the strong family structure, which was the hallmark of the Muslim-Turkic nation, had to be vigilant against and that Türkiye would not allow the concept of family, which was a sacred structure, to be tarnished.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş attended the 8^th Family Council held at Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center with the theme "Our Family, Our Future in the Century of Türkiye".

Wishing the program to be a blessing for the country, the nation and all families, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated the officials of the Ministry of Family and Social Services for organizing it.

Stating that he believed that important recommendations and determinations strengthening the institution of the family would be made in the activities of the commissions within the scope of the Council, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted that he appreciated the efforts made to enrich the content of the Council.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that four of the councils, the first of which was held in 1990, were organized during the AK Parti rule, and that critical issues concerning the society, especially the family, were discussed and solutions were proposed in each council.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued as follows:

"We have also taken the decisions of the council as a guide while shaping the policies regarding the family. At the beginning of it, there was the idea of establishing a ministry that would take care of the family exclusively. We implemented this proposal, which was raised here, in 2011. Thus, we have ensured that the family issue is managed under one roof in all its dimensions. It is clear that the 8^th Family Council, which coincides with the celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Republic, will both provide a comprehensive accounting and contribute to the determination of future goals. It is from this point of view that I would like to ask all conference attendees to look at the activities of the committees in programs that are to be held today and tomorrow.

I would like you to know that your opinions are very valuable and significant in protecting the institution of the family, which is the future of the nation. I hope that the event will be successful and productive, bringing together all stakeholders from scientists to experts, from public institutions to civil society organizations. In faith and culture, 'family' is a sacred institution. The family is a great blessing, a unique treasure that encompasses people from birth to death and protects them against the ups and downs of life. A person is born into a family, finds peace in the family, feels safe among family members, and prepares for life with the family. The family, where love is shared and multiplied, where difficulties are faced together, is one of the most important traits making man humane."

 "Family is the steel core, the essence, power source of society"

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the family institution and the protection of generations came on the top of the duties of the state, and this was preached as a matter of faith. Reminding that the state's responsibility to protect the family was included in Article 41 of the Constitution with the statement "The family is the foundation of Turkish society", President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added: "The family is the foundation of society itself, and societies without a solid foundation cannot survive. "Therefore, family is the steel core, the essence, power source of society"

Emphasizing that the family was the pillar and keystone of the state, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued as follows:

"The mediator of national culture and values that are passed down from generation to generation is the family institution. Language is learned in the family, morality is taught in the family, faith is established in the family. National consciousness is acquired in the family, compassion, respect and love are acquired in the family. Character is formed here, identity is built in the family. A person turns into a responsible member of society under the roof of the family. The family is the shield protecting children from the ills of the age. The first and most important educational institution before school is the family. Protecting the family, which has an irreplaceable place in social and state life, means protecting people, society, the state and the future of the nation. No society, no matter how economically prosperous, can look to its future with confidence if it does not attach the necessary importance to the family.

Here is the predicament of the West. This is because the way to be a strong society is not only through material means, but above all through a strong family structure. We need to look at the family from a much broader perspective than a structure only consisting of parents and children. Instead of simplifying and trivializing the issue, we should determine the place of the family institution in social life well, correctly and accurately. We must be vigilant against any attempt to weaken the strong family structure, which is the hallmark of the Muslim-Turkish nation. Both as a state and personally, the approach to the issue is in this direction. Therefore, just as I stated in the entire election campaign, there was no such understanding of the concept of LGBT in the People's Alliance. Let LGBT be a material for the alliance of evil, let them use it to the fullest, but we do not share that. Why? This is because the family is a sacred structure and cannot be tarnished. We will not allow this, we can not allow it."

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that while family ties weakened with the development of the modern world, the importance of the family institution increased.

Stating that the transition from extended family to close family and from there to individual life deprived today's people from the opportunities offered by the family, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued as follows:

"It is an indisputable fact that the modern individual is lonelier, more vulnerable to the struggles of life, much weaker. Developing communication and transportation facilities have unfortunately not been able to remedy the loneliness of the modern individual. In fact, people have become more withdrawn and disconnected from society, especially with screen and social media addiction. We see the negative effects of this together in a very wide range of areas. The age of marriage is constantly rising even in our own society. Divorce rates are increasing more and more every year. The average number of children is decreasing day by day. We do not say 'have at least three children' for nothing. Because this society is especially in need. I cannot go into the details here, but it is not enough that the population such as the Turkish population is 85 million at the moment. We need a much larger population."

"The biggest threat is the desexualization policies"

Pointing out that the world, especially European countries, was getting older, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that in societies without a safe haven such as the family, suicide rates, addiction and other issues such as drug use were on the rise.

The threats to the institution of the family, the life of society and the mental health of the individual were not limited to these, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, adding, "The biggest threat to the family in recent years is the desexualization policies promoted by global actors with power."

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

"The family institution itself is the target of deviant movements supported by some international companies, organizations, brands and institutions. The more serious side of the issue is that this has turned into a global imposition rather than a personal lifestyle choice. We are facing a global tyranny where even the smallest criticism is silenced, where those who object are denied the right to live, where it has become impossible to defend human nature and family values, where those who react are suppressed economically, politically and diplomatically, in short, where a handful of raging minorities are trying to enslave billions of people. It is our duty to protect the family, and therefore the human beings, in light of attacks targeting not only the relationships between men and women, but also the children.

I would like to declare once again that Türkiye and the Turkish nation will never succumb to the impositions of global desexualization. We will not leave children in the hands of these perverts. We will not allow the family structure to be dynamited."

Stating that the establishment of the Family and Youth Bank, which was also included in his election commitments, would soon be realized, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the project would be implemented in the earthquake region first following the approval of the Grand National Assembly.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "Thus, we will help young persons who have experienced the catastrophe of the century on February 6 and who have lost almost everything to build a home. We will then gradually expand the scope of the projects with financing from Black Sea natural gas and Gabar oil. We will protect the family structure from the threats of poverty and perversion and protect young persons with new supports that are put into effect."

Stating that he expressed his determination on the issue not only in the election grounds but also on the UN platform in the presence of the whole world, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that he drew attention to the threats awaiting the family institution in a very clear and explicit way, and noted with satisfaction that many countries responded to it.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "God willing, we will continue the fight on a global scale with the support of all societies with intelligence, wisdom, conscience and prudence."

 Israel's attacks on Gaza

Underlining that another region where the global conscience needed to act was Gaza, which tore the hearts of all, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that since October 7, the Israeli government had been committing a brutal massacre against the Palestinians, using the excuse of terror experienced.

Stating that he was addressing the national and international communities watching him, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued as follows:

"I have also addressed the Catholic community this morning through the Pope. Mosques, churches, schools, marketplaces, even hospitals are being bombed by Israeli forces. To date, more than 6.000 of our brothers and sisters, mostly women and children, have been martyred as a result of the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Ramallah. Again, 17.000 persons, mostly women and children, have been wounded. More than 12.000 tons of bombs have so far been dropped on 2.3 million people struggling to hold on to life in a confined area of 360 square kilometers, completely surrounded. America is there, Europe is there, they are there with all their means and they go and visit one by one. Almost half of Gaza's residential buildings were either destroyed, damaged or rendered unusable. According to UN figures, 600.000 Gazans have been displaced. At the moment, UN teams are planning to leave the region at any moment, they are preparing to do so."

Emphasizing that, just like in all wars, women and children suffered the most, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized, "Is it even possible to look at the news and photographs coming out of Gaza and remain indifferent? However traumatizing it is, no act can be met with such brutality. It is unjustifiable."

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the attacks on Gaza turned into an open cruelty, atrocity, massacre and barbarism that long exceeded the limit of self-defense, and added: "The sad part of the matter is that the so-called civilized non-civilized people are only spectators of this atrocity."

Stating that the EU Commission made a statement yesterday "We cannot call for a ceasefire yet," President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "How many more people have to die? How many children have to die? What is your estimation, what do you base it on? Explain this. When can there be a ceasefire and when can there be not? You are not the only ones in politics, we are also in politics, I have been in politics for 40 years, but we have never been a spectator to such atrocities like you, and we cannot be a bystander. In unison, all Western countries give unconditional support to the attacks instead of calling on the Israeli government to use common sense."

Stating that those who preached about human rights and freedom disregarded the right to live of the oppressed people of Gaza for 19 days, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added the following:

"What happened to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Have you ever looked at this declaration? No. If it suits them, they will look at it. They will not look at it because it does not work for them, why? The blood that is shed is the blood of the Muslims, that is why. By sending aircraft carriers and warships instead of sending aid ships, they have made it clear for which lobbies they serve. We have gotten to know you better and we will get to know you even better in the future. This is hypocrisy, disingenuousness, fueling the fire. I ask you, how many more children have to die before the European Commission can call for a ceasefire? How many more tons of bombs must be dropped on Gaza before the United Nations Security Council takes action? How many more women, civilians or elderly have to perish before Western organizations say 'stop' to the massacre? How many more of their colleagues have to be targeted by bombs in order for international media outlets to report and tell the truth? How long should we wait to end this crisis that is setting the region on fire?"

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that what every innocent victim enshrouded in white deserved in Gaza was no longer even a cover.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "They write the names of their babies on their bodies to find them. To be able to recognize whose babies are the ones that passed. The responsibility of every innocent person lies as much with those who dropped the bombs as with those who allowed this to happen with their ambivalent attitude. From media outlets violating all principles to whitewash war crimes to international organizations that persistently turn a blind eye to the massacres; everyone is a collaborator in the atrocities taking place in Gaza and the Palestinian territories."

Emphasizing that the principle of Türkiye on the issue was clear, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "The one who remains silent against injustice is the devil."

Stating that Türkiye would not shy away from shouting out the right and the truth even if it would be left alone, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan added: "Even if it is painful, even if it is uncomfortable for its interlocutors, even if it disturbs the comfort of some, we will express what we know to be the truth with an open heart."

Stating that Türkiye would further intensify its efforts to meet the urgent needs of the people of Gaza, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that since October 7, Türkiye had been maintaining diplomatic contacts at all levels, while also making efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We will also send civilian aid ships when the conditions are right"

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that 10 planeloads of aid supplies had so far been dispatched to El Arish Airport in cooperation with the Egyptian authorities, and that generators, which Gaza badly needed, were also sent to the region yesterday. President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted that:

"We also ensured the transfer of 25 medical personnel to Egypt with medical equipment. The total amount of aid materials we have sent to Egypt to be delivered to Gaza exceeds 200 tons. Together with Egypt, we are trying to deliver aid to Gazans. We are ready to provide all kinds of humanitarian assistance, from setting up field hospitals to bringing the wounded to be treated in the country. We will hopefully send the civilian aid ship we are preparing to the region when the conditions are right. The ship is ready to sail, if only they allow it."

Emphasizing that work on all kinds of medical, psychological and other support for children affected by the attacks was ongoing, Erdoğan said that under the auspices of First Lady Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, the relevant ministries were in contact to bring children from the region and take care of them here.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye would never refrain from shouldering the burden of whatever was needed to quickly heal the wounds and prevent a human tragedy from occurring. H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued as follows:

"Israel, I am now calling out to you. Do not forget the kindness we showed to the Jews fleeing from the Inquisition 500 years ago, go and read your history books. We are the ones that did it. Just as we embraced the Jewish scientists who were subjected to genocide in the Second World War, just as we helped Ukrainian civilians and children who had to flee their homes in the Russian-Ukrainian War, just as we embraced the oppressed from Syria to Iraq and just as we embraced our brothers and sisters who migrated from the Caucasus and the Balkans to Anatolia... Today, our only compass in the Gaza crisis is conscience, compassion and the revival of the ancient values making man humane."

Stating that there was no difference between Gazan, Palestinian and Syrian children and children in Israel, Erdoğan emphasized that children were beyond all identities and definitions.

Stating that no one could make them feel the shame of remaining silent while children were being killed, Erdoğan said, "No one can expect us to remain silent while an atrocity is being committed in front of our eyes. Even if we bite our tongues, we cannot in good conscience remain silent on such an atrocity."

Reciting lines from Mehmet Akif Ersoy's poem "I cannot applaud oppression", H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye undertook the task of upholding and uplifting the truth and being the vocal authority of the oppressed and the victims regardless of their identity.

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Erdoğan said that history recorded those who kept silent in the face of the burials of innocent children lined up in rows on cold concrete, and those who spoke out in difficult times, those who put in the work and those who sincerely worked for the establishment of peace and tranquility.

Stating that Türkiye had always been on the side of the right, equity and justice for centuries and that it stood by the oppressed and victims without any discrimination, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that today, as it was yesterday, Türkiye defended human beings and human life and endeavored to prevent the death of children.

Stating that Türkiye displayed a balanced and principled stance in all humanitarian crises in its immediate neighborhood and that time had always proved them right, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

"We have no doubt about the rightness of our position on Palestine and Gaza. Those who see the massacre in Gaza and turn their faces away are the ones who should be questioned and held to account. The ones who should be ashamed are those who have lost their honor, dignity and conscience to the point that they are willing to sell themselves for a few pennies. God willing, we will never put ourselves, our country or our beloved nation in such a situation.

Now I am calling out again to those who do not make a sound in the West, they are the ones who owe to Israel, they owe them... However, Türkiye does not owe anything to Israel. For that we are at peace, for that we are powerful. From now on, we will continue to scream out what is right. We will continue to work for the peace, well-being, security and prosperity of all children."

H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wished a successful and productive year for the historic council organized on the 100^th anniversary of the Republic, and thanked all those who contributed to the event.

“We call on the whole world to take a firm stance like Türkiye”

In her speech, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the Republic, which would be welcomed with great enthusiasm, pride and excitement.

Stating that the Ministry were working with great faith and diligence to build a strong Türkiye in the footsteps of the ancestors, taking firm steps towards the goals of justice and development, Göktaş said that their last gathering was in 2019 with the motto "Value for the Family, Value for Türkiye", and that this year, the Ministry continued their journey with the motto "Our Family, Our Future in the Century of Türkiye".

Stating that Türkiye did not remain silent about the human tragedy in Palestine today and that the Palestinian people had the right to live freely and independently just like all other nations, Göktaş said: " However, for 75 years, families in Palestine have been torn apart, displaced and civilians are now being targeted recklessly regardless of whether they are women, children or the elderly. Children and women are being slaughtered by the Israeli government in front of the eyes of the world. We call on the whole world to take a firm stance like Türkiye against this understanding that is ignoring people's right to live, destroys families, and victimizes civilians, especially women and children."

 "We are a generation growing up in the shadow of our ancestors"

Minister Göktaş said, "The way to achieve the goals of the Century of Türkiye is to protect the concept of family against all threats and to strengthen the family and its ties. Therefore, we will protect family ties more than ever and be more vigilant against approaches and practices that will weaken family ties."

Emphasizing that the family was a homeland created by men and women with love and compassion, unity and solidarity, labor and sacrifice, Göktaş continued as follows:

"The family is the home where children from past to present are molded with national and spiritual values and raised as strong individuals. The family is the peace that older persons, the transmitters of traditions and customs, bring to households. The family is a safe harbor from childhood onwards, a safe harbor from which we navigate the rough seas of life. For people to be able to continue on their path with confidence, unshaken by the storms of this age, they need to have a harbor where they can take refuge when they are in distress. This is the harbour, this homeland, this home, this peace is the family. We are a generation growing up in the shadow of our ancestors. Taking care of older persons is an integral part of the civilization and spiritual values. The strongest bond holding families together is the bond between generations. As the Ministry, we have always worked and are working to protect and strengthen these ties. In the face of all kinds of violence that disrupts the atmosphere of trust and peace in the family, we have taken a clear stance that protects the holder of rights, and we will continue to take the stance."

 "We are working for children to grow up in a peaceful and safe family environment"

Göktaş stated that the Ministry delivered all family-oriented services directly to the public through Social Service Centers in 81 provinces.

Emphasizing that the Ministry was trying to open up ways to encourage young persons to start a family in order to protect the concept of family, the Ministry believed that the marriage loan to be given by the Family and Youth Bank would give newly married couples the happiness of building a home, Göktaş said that the Ministry diversified their work to increase the participation of women in both working life and decision-making mechanisms, and that fathers who nurtured and raised the family institution strived to establish a relationship with their spouses and children based on respect, love and compassion.

Underlining that the Ministry took care to preserve the warmth of the family in all their activities for children, Göktaş emphasized, "We are working to raise all children in a peaceful, safe and compassionate family environment, as honest, virtuous and moral persons who are loyal to their national and spiritual values."

Stating that efforts were made to promote and encourage foster family and adoption programs, Göktaş added that the Gönül Elçileri Project, carried out under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's First Lady Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, had won the trust of the nation in the field.

  "We are taking firm steps towards the goals with the understanding of a Strong Individual, a Strong Family, a Strong Türkiye."

Minister Göktaş emphasized that the Ministry attached importance to ensuring that older persons could remain with their families in services for older persons, and that the Ministry continued its efforts to ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in economic, social and cultural life.

Göktaş stated that martyrs' relatives and veterans were given employment opportunities and priority in accessing social services, and provided social services to citizens abroad through attachés and consultancies.

Göktaş added that Türkiye held the hands of 3.8 million citizens in the earthquake zone and other provinces following the earthquakes that struck on February 6 this year.

Explaining that at the 8^th Family Council, which started today, the Ministry brought together many competent and knowledgeable participants in their fields and formed 6 commissions on population and demography, environment and climate, law, digitalization, social development, life cycle and family resilience with a wide participation of representatives from public institutions, academia and civil society organizations, Göktaş stated that through these commissions, it was aimed to seek solutions in terms of law, life cycle and family resilience in order to evaluate the factors threatening the family such as the rapid ageing of the world population, climate change and digital transformation process.

Noting that the Ministry held family workshops in 81 provinces in September with more than 1.000 institutions and more than 3.000 participants from relevant public institutions, and civil society organizations from the world of academia, Göktaş emphasized that she believed that all the results of the Family Council would constitute an up-to-date and reliable source for the "Strengthening the Family Vision Document and Action Plan" to be published in 2024.

Minister Göktaş stated that the Ministry was taking firm steps towards the goals with the understanding of "Strong Individual, Strong Family, Strong Türkiye" and that it was working devotedly to make the century the Century of Türkiye as part of the large family of the Turkish nation consisting of 85 million people. Noting that the aim of providing the best service to the nation was their most important endeavor, Göktaş wished that the decisions to be taken at the 8^th Family Council would be auspicious.

Following the speeches, President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was presented with a painting in Kufic script, a writing type commonly used in Arabic calligraphy, by Minister Göktaş. The painting depicts the President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech at the 78^th General Assembly of the United Nations, in which he uttered, "To protect the family is to protect humanity and the future of humanity."

President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan posed for a photo with former ministers of Family and Social Services Ayşen Gürcan, Fatma Şahin, Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, Sema Ramazanoğlu and Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk and invited families in the hall.