Turkish pop diva Sezen Aksu incurs wrath over ‘insult to Islam’

A group of people in Ankara even filed a criminal complaint against Aksu, claiming that she has “insulted religious values.” Several musicians and figures supported Aksu against the threats she has been facing. Pop singer Mustafa Sandal named Aksu one of the “deepest poets of this country.” “It is irrational and illogical to twist the lyrics of a song in such a way,” Sandal tweeted. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, joined in the discussion on Jan. 18, referring to Aksu by her nickname “Minik Serçe” (“Little Sparrow” in English).

January 22, 2022 | 6:27 pm