Why Did Turkey Remove 20 Statues of Ertugrul All Over the Country?

Do you agree with their reasons for doing so?

Diriliş: Ertuğrul has become one of the top trending shows not just in Turkey, where the show was made, but also in Pakistan. People in both countries are paying homage to the leader of the Kayı tribe of Oghuz by placing murals of Ertugrul in different parts of the country.

However, due to some errors, about 20 busts of Ertugrul, which were previously placed all around Turkey, have been removed. What happened here? And why did the authorities removed those beautiful statues?

Let’s find out shall we?

The mystery behind Ertugrul statues removal

An artist, Ömer Gençtürk, in Ordu was responsible for creating these murals, which were made with bronze and basalt stone.

On June 4th, the art pieces were placed in front of the city hall. However, they were soon removed due to the public’s and social media users’ objections and concerns.

Many took to their social media accounts to express how the busts resemble Engin Altan Düzyatan, the lead actor who played the role of Ertugrul in the show, more than Ertugrul himself.

These folks say that it is nothing short of a travesty.

 

 

The municipality responded to the removal of these murals in a written statement. They said it is questionable and requires due diligence:

We were disturbed by the fact that the bust of Ertuğrul Gazi resembles Engin Altan Düzyatan, the leading actor in the Resurrection Ertuğrul series and the same day the bust in question was removed.

Necessary investigation has been initiated about those responsible for negligence. We thank all the public for the sensitivity they have shown.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time a statue was built of Engin Altan instead of Ertugrul. The same thing had happened in another Turkish province, Bilecik. Now, the authorities are taking action against such portrayals, and making sure they are removed from the public sphere.

The show Diriliş: Ertuğrul has taken the Muslim world by storm, especially in Pakistan where PTV reports that the show had been viewed by 133 million people from April 25 till May 14. The Urdu dubbed version has also been trending on YouTube, where the show has 5.51 million subscribers.

While it is important to remember and honor influential figures by building and erecting their murals countries, it is also important that artists are mindful of what Ertugrul looked like in real life. That or by choosing a likeness that doesn’t borrow heavily from a showbiz star!

Let us know what you think of this story in the comments section.


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Comments

  1. In my opinion, It is non-Islamic to create statues of living things and heroes (period).

  2. It is very good that people thought about it but I think that it will be more good if they’ll not make a statue. Thankyou!

    • Not a big deal. Some one committed mistake, authorities realized and they removed the statues; case closed.
      Should not become a controversy. We also have lot of respect and regards for Engin Altan, who has justified with his role as Ertugral Ghazi.

      • No doubt you performed best and it seems a real resurrection of Ertugral through you. People must not forget and must keep respect of a real soul.

  3. How do you know that how Ertugul looked liked ? any body seen him in real? were there cameras in 12th 13th century? Lol

  4. Authorities Should Construct 20 Mosques in Place of Those 20 Statues. Name Always Lives, Work Always Lives…. Faces / Statues Don’t Work in Real Life.

  5. He was a gr8 Muslim hero,inspiration for today’s youth. Pakistan should name a missile as “ertugral missile”,n Turks can have a place,institution,mosque after his name to give him honour.

  6. History Eros deserves all of the remembrance the word and theirs country’s COULD OFFER. Lpedro ortiz

  7. Better to help the downtrodden muslim communities in poor countries of the world in the present pandemic.Statues are not the necessity of time.better read the history and release the necessary information

  8. Its a good move
    Becz Ertugrul Ghazi is the King of OTTOMAN EMPIRE
    SO having the statue of actor promotes actor
    Such negligence should never be repeated

  9. I love this drama because this Muslims lost have memory of islamic history I salute this drama producer and director I love this drama

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