Imam Uses 'Armenian Bastard' Term During Prayer in Turkey

During Friday prayers at the Cebeci Mosque in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul, Imam Murad Gündoğdu called on congregants to be armed on the day of the presidential elections and simultaneously used the term 'Armenian bastard', reports Ermenihaber.am.

Video recordings made via phone reveal that Gündoğdu stated: 'Brothers, get your weapons ready. Keep your weapons ready for May 28; both my weapons are fully loaded until the end. Those who are confident in themselves, let them come out to the square (in a challenge). What are we dragging under your hand? For 80 years, what have the hands of these Armenian bastards been dragging in this country? We have that many martyrs.'

Another video reveals that one of the congregants, named Halit Demir, reacted negatively to the Imam's call to prepare weapons, resulting in a scuffle in the mosque.

It is known that Gündoğdu supports the current government and often propagates the ruling political party, which has frequently drawn complaints from congregants.

The Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs has announced that an investigation has been initiated regarding the Imam's call to prepare weapons. There has been no official comment yet on the applied hate speech issue.