Seite - 129 - in Limina - Grazer theologische Perspektiven, Band 2:1

129 | www.limina-graz.eu hande Birkalan-Gedik | muslim | martyr | masculine every year on 15 July, Martyrs Memorial Day, we will remember them in their names and pass on their memory to future generations. My dear brothers [and sisters], The true composers of songs of independence that are sung with pride and enthusiasm today in our 81 cities, at the town squares, and all over in Turkey is our nation. On the night of 15 July, there was no Sunni-Alevi in the streets, there was no Turkish-Kurdish, there was no Circassian-Roman, there was no right-leftist, rich-poor, power-opposition in the squares on that night. On 15 July, it was the Turkish nation that became one heart and wrist just like in Gallipoli and in the War of Independence, against a handful of putschists.”] Erdoğan’s speech begins with blessings for the “martyrs,” who have died for the country and the nation as Erdoğan asserts. He uses phrases like “to be out there, in the streets to save the dignity and honor of the nation.” Erdoğan does not specifically mention the women who died on the even- ing of 15 July 2016. The interpreter can only infer that the martyrs are men as dignity and honor are the core cultural values associated with men in Turkey. Furthermore, Erdoğan uses “Islamic” language and expresses his wish, which also can be understood as a prayer or blessing in Turkish: “May the Lord keep them there with His compassion and mercy.” He announced that every year, there will be memorials erected in several cities. The failure of the putschists and the victory of the AKP will be cele- brated in several commemorations where the martyrs will be remembered. Clearly, 15 July is to become Martyrs of Democracy Day!” Only soon, on 25 July 2016, bridges were renamed. Particularly emblematic was the renam- ing of Istanbul’s first bridge that has been connecting Asia and Europe for 42 years —the Bosphorus Bridge – now called “Bridge of the Martyrs of 15 July.” Nearby a “Monument of Martyrdom” was erected. This announce- ment was only the beginning of the discourses of martyrdom regarding the attempted coup. Exactly two years later, on 15 July 2018, new sites of “memory” have been officially erected and were unveiled in “official cer- emonies.” The “brave” citizens, this time without explicit reference to the military per se, included civilians who died “defending the country” and thus were referred to as “şehit” in Turkish. Clearly, Erdoğan and the AKP are trying to shape 15 July 2016 into a found- ing myth of the New Turkey (Hoffman et al 2018, 9), evoking the Turk- ish War of Independence, the founding narrative of the Turkish Republic.