Turkish Forum

Tag: New York

  • Leadership, accountability and the voice of the Turkish American community

    Leadership, accountability and the voice of the Turkish American community

    Staten Island Advance Newspaper Prints Editorial about Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal, New York in Newspaper.

    Since his appointment, Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal has become a focal point of concern.

    Clink onto Link Below to Read Editorial about Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal, New York 

    Leadership, accountability and the voice of the Turkish American community

    • Published: Apr. 22, 2026, 6:00 a.m.

    In every diplomatic post, leadership carries not only authority, but a profound responsibility to represent, protect and unify the people it serves. For the Turkish American community, the role of Consul General is especially significant. It must bridge Ankara and the diaspora, uphold dignity and respond firmly to external challenges particularly in moments when Türkiye faces criticism or misrepresentation in international media.

    Since his appointment, Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal has become a focal point of concern among segments of the Turkish American community. These concerns are not rooted in hostility toward Türkiye. Rather, they reflect a desire for stronger advocacy, clearer communication, and a leadership approach that fosters inclusion instead of division.

    One issue that has resonated deeply is the sentiment among community members, including respected elders, that their voices and contributions have not been adequately recognized. For a community that takes immense pride in its history, including the sacrifices of Turkish soldiers in the Korean War, this perception is especially painful. Honoring that legacy should be a unifying principle.

    Equally troubling is the perception that criticism or questioning of leadership is discouraged or met with coordinated pushback from loyal supporters of Consul General Ahmet Yazal. Many describe an environment where individuals who raise concerns feel targeted, intimidated, harassed or subjected to efforts to delegitimize their voices by Turkish Consul General Mr. Yazal foot soldiers. Whether formal or informal, this dynamic has created a chilling effect within the community.

    There is what many now describe as a “silent majority” within the Turkish American community — individuals who share similar concerns but hesitate to speak publicly. Their reluctance stems from fear of backlash, including harassment, intimidation or reputational harm. When individuals feel constrained from expressing their views, the strength and unity of the community suffer.

    Public accountability, including for Consul Generals, is not “anti-Türkiye” or “anti-government.” It is a fundamental democratic principle. Communities must be able to apply pressure when officials appear unresponsive or when gatekeepers attempt to silence inconvenient voices. Labeling criticism as “weaponizable” risks becoming a method of suppressing legitimate dissent.

    At a dinner on March 12, 2026, Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal emphasized the importance of civic voice, stating:

    “Most importantly, in the country where we reside, let us learn about and take ownership of the rights and opportunities available to our communities, and let us not forget our right to have a voice in this land.”

    This is an important message. However, it must be applied consistently. Encouraging individuals to speak must also include the freedom to question leadership without fear.

    The Turkish American community deserves leadership that listens from Ankara and does use foot soldiers to silence inconvenient voices. Open dialogue, accountability and mutual respect remain essential to strong representation.

    https://www.silive.com/opinion/letters/2026/04/leadership-accountability-and-the-voice-of-the-turkish-american-community.html

    (Ibrahim Kurtulus is a Dongan Hills resident.)

  • Silence about  terrorist origination Fethullah Gulen foot Soldiers in New York

    Silence about  terrorist origination Fethullah Gulen foot Soldiers in New York

    New York  Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal  / Silence about  terrorist origination Fethullah Gulen foot Soldiers in New York  

    Since the appointment of Consul General Ahmet Yazal, there has been little visible public response or outreach regarding activities in New York involving individuals believed to be linked to  the terrorist origination Fethullah Gulen and their engagement with various NGOs. This silence is raising questions as many in community  are wondering whether enough attention is being given to the issue in New York by Consul General Ahmet Yazal about the terrorist origination , and whether Turkish interests are being actively represented and protected, especially considering the responsibility to the Turkish public. Yazal is just collecting his $12,000 salary and waiting for his retirement and walking his two dogs. (picture attached) 

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Staten Island, New York 

  • New York State So-called “Armenian Genocide” narrative

    New York State So-called “Armenian Genocide” narrative

    New York State So-called “Armenian Genocide” narrative / New York Turkish Consul General

    New York Turkish Consul General Ahmet Yazal has presided over one of the weakest and most ineffective periods of representation for the Republic of Türkiye in New York.

    While the so-called “Armenian Genocide” narrative is being advanced in New York State Senate. The Consulate remains silent offering no pushback, no outreach, and no public diplomacy whatsoever. It is difficult to recall a consul general who has been more disengaged from the responsibilities of defending Turkish interests abroad. 

    Ibrahim Kurtulus 
    Community Activist 

  • Letter to Ambassador Sedat Onal / CC: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

    Letter to Ambassador Sedat Onal / CC: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

    Your Excellency Ambassador Sedat Onal
    Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye
    2525 Massachusetts Ave NW
    Washington, D.C. 20008

    October 31 2025

    Your Excellency,

    I write to you with profound disappointment and deep respect for the office you represent. For twenty-five years the Bowling Green Association  joined by New York City’s Mayor’s Office (represented at the highest levels), fellow Americans, professors, civic flag groups, many Turkish Americans, children who took time away from school, and visitors standing near the Charging Bull  has observed our annual Turkish Flag raising on Wall Street. This year also marked the fifty-seventh raising of the Turkish flag in the heart of the financial capital of the world. It was an occasion of shared civic pride and solemn remembrance: students, including Ms. Lara Çelik, a medical student at Harvard on full scholarship who travelled from Boston, came to honor those who sacrificed for our Republic and to celebrate the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

     This ceremony is not about any individual or a single organization. It is about the Republic of Türkiye, our history, and the collective respect we pay to those who gave their lives for our nation. It is in that spirit and with that gravity that I must register my astonishment and sorrow that, for the first time in a quarter century, the seated Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in New York did not attend this important commemoration. While Deputy Consul General Kemal Yüksektep attended and we appreciate his presence, his attendance cannot and should not be regarded as an adequate substitute for the Consul General’s absence on such a significant day.

     The absence of the Consul General  coming after a pattern of decreasing engagement reported privately by numerous community leaders and even by several foreign consuls in New York  has been interpreted by many in our community as a disengagement from the grassroots and from the very people the Consulate is entrusted to serve. I have heard, firsthand and from multiple respected quarters including community activists, clergy, educators, and members of the New York Police Department who work alongside us at civic events  a consistent note of concern about the tone and substance of the Consulate’s outreach since his appointment. These are not idle complaints; they are the considered observations of people who care deeply about Türkiye and its standing here. Ambassador Onal, the office of the Consul General carries institutional responsibilities that go beyond personal preference.

    The Consul General is the public face of Türkiye in one of the world’s most visible cities: to lead ceremonial observances, to sustain relationships with municipal partners, to support educational and cultural exchanges, and to foster the mutual respect that strengthens Türkiye’s soft power. When the senior representative of the Consulate is absent from an event of such symbolic and civic importance, it sends a message  intended or not that the ties between the Republic and its diaspora community are less than a priority. For many of us who have labored for decades to build bridges between our communities and Türkiye, that message is deeply hurtful.

     Let me be clear: my criticism is not personal; it is principled. I owe nothing to any political faction in Turkiye , and my sole obligation is to defending Turkiye as I have for 40 years and to the honor our Sehitler . We were honored to receive Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız at the ceremony just an outstanding person like you , and his attendance was warmly received; that very reception underlines how critical visible, respectful engagement is to our shared diplomatic and civic life here.

     Your Excellency, Türkiye’s presence in New York is measured not only by the activities that appear in official schedules, but by the relationships cultivated in parks, schools, houses of worship, and community halls. Where My Yazal is missing , but just collecting his $14,000 and seating in his office. I believe Türkiye deserves, and the community expects, steadfast, humble, and consistent representation. I hope you will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and help restore the confidence of those who felt overlooked on this most solemn of days.

     Thank you for your attention to this matter. I remain available to meet at your convenience and to work with the Embassy and Consulate to rebuild trust and to ensure that future commemorations reflect the dignity and unity our Republic merits.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Community Activist

    CC:  Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
    Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz.

  • Death in Turkish Community

    Death in Turkish Community

    Death in Turkish Community – New York Consul General Missing in Action (Nerde New York Baskonsolosu Ahmet Yazal ?)

    To: H.E. Hakan Fidan
    Minister of Foreign Affairs
    Republic of Türkiye
    T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı
    Dr. Sadık Ahmet Cad. No: 8
    06100 Balgat/Ankara, Türkiye

    Your Excellency, 

    It is with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the tragic passing of Musa Çetin, 29, a young Turkish citizen who died while in police custody in New York City. His sudden and heartbreaking death has shaken the Turkish American community to its core. In moments like these, the community naturally turns to its diplomatic representatives for guidance, leadership, and support. Yet the question echoing in every corner of our community is:

    Where is our Consul General, Ahmet Yazal?

    The silence and absence of the Consul General during such a devastating event is both alarming and unacceptable. Since his appointment last August, Mr. Yazal has consistently failed to engage with the Turkish American community. He has been unreachable by phone, does not return digital messages, and ignores emails. In over 35 years, our community has not witnessed such a disengaged and unresponsive Consul General. This is not a matter of mere inconvenience; it is a matter of trust, responsibility, and duty. At a time when the Turkish community in New York is grieving, reporters, community leaders, and ordinary citizens are all asking the same question: why has the Consul General abandoned his post in the face of tragedy? His absence is more glaring now than ever. In failing to show up for Musa Çetin’s family and for the wider Turkish community, Mr. Yazal has failed in the most fundamental duty of his office.

    This is not simply about one tragic death it is about a dangerous pattern of neglect. For more than a year, the Consul General has shown no meaningful presence in the community, no proactive leadership, and no willingness to respond even to the most urgent matters. In a city where Turkish Americans contribute so much to civic life, such indifference is unacceptable.

    Your Excellency, Ankara must hear the voices of Turkish Americans. The credibility of Türkiye abroad, especially in New York City the world’s crossroads cannot be represented by a Consul General who is invisible in times of crisis. We are compelled to state plainly: this has been the most disappointing tenure of any New York Consul General in over three decades.

    We urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate action: recall Consul General Ahmet Yazal and appoint a representative who will uphold the responsibilities of the office one who will stand with the community, especially in times of grief, hardship, and crisis. The Turkish American community deserves a leader who will answer calls, respond to messages, and above all, honor their duty to protect and support Turkish citizens abroad.

    The tragic death of Musa Çetin demands not only an investigation in New York but also accountability within our own institutions. Silence is not diplomacy. Absence is not leadership. Ankara must act now.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Community Activist 

  • Medical Aid in Dying Act / Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

    Medical Aid in Dying Act / Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

    The Honorable Kathy Hochul 
    Governor of New York State 
    Executive Chamber State Capitol 

    Albany, NY 12224

    RE: Urgent Appeal to Veto the Medical Aid in Dying Act

    Lead by State Senators Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Brad Hoylman-Sigal

    Dear Governor Hochul,

    I am writing as a community activist whose voice resonates with a very large, multi-faith audience across Staten Island, Brooklyn, and other boroughs of New York City.

    I write to you today with profound concern and a fervent plea to object to the Medical Aid in Dying Act, recently passed by the New York Senate, and to ultimately veto this deeply misguided legislation. While proponents of this bill, including State Senators Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Brad Hoylman-Sigal, advocate for “autonomy” and “compassion,” it is imperative to recognize that this act represents a grave departure from fundamental moral and ethical principles, directly infringing upon the sanctity of human life.

    The core of our objection rests on the unshakeable conviction that human life is a sacred gift, bestowed by the Almighty God, and its cessation should remain solely within His divine purview. To empower individuals, or indeed the state, to intentionally hasten death, even in the face of terminal illness, is to arrogate a power that is not ours to wield. This perspective is not merely a personal conviction but a deeply held tenet across a vast spectrum of faith traditions, including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, which collectively represent a significant portion of New York’s diverse population.

    In Judaism, the principle of Pikuach Nefesh dictates that the preservation of human life is paramount, superseding nearly all other commandments. While Jewish law permits the withholding of extraordinary measures that merely prolong the dying process without hope of recovery, active euthanasia or assisted suicide is unequivocally forbidden. Such acts are considered a violation of God’s sovereignty over life and death. The taking of one’s own life, or assisting another to do so, is viewed as an affront to the divine image in which humanity is created and a rejection of the inherent value of every moment of life, even in suffering. To propose that human beings have a “right to die” contradicts the foundational Jewish understanding that life is a trust from God, not a possession to be discarded.

    Similarly, Islam holds that all human life is sacred and a precious trust from Allah. The Quran explicitly forbids suicide, stating, “And do not kill yourselves, for verily Allah has been to you Most Merciful” (Quran 4:29). Islamic teachings emphasize patience in the face of hardship and suffering, viewing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and expiation of sins. Hastening death, whether by one’s own hand or with assistance, is considered a direct interference with God’s divine will and a denial of His supreme power over life and death. Muslim medical ethics unequivocally prohibit euthanasia and assisted suicide, stressing the physician’s role as a healer and preserver of life, not an agent of its termination.

    Within Christianity, the sanctity of life is a cornerstone belief, rooted in the understanding that humanity is created in the image of God (Imago Dei). The Fifth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” is broadly interpreted to encompass any intentional act that directly takes an innocent human life, including suicide and assisted suicide. While compassion for suffering is central to Christian teaching, true compassion is understood as accompanying individuals in their pain, providing comfort, care, and support, rather than eliminating the person to end their suffering. The Catholic Church, for instance, explicitly condemns euthanasia as “a grave violation of the law of God,” asserting that suffering can have redemptive value and that human beings do not have absolute dominion over their own lives. Protestant denominations, while varying in their specific theological interpretations, largely uphold the sanctity of life and oppose assisted suicide, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and the inherent dignity of every human being.

    Governor Hochul, consider the profound implications of signing this bill into law. Beyond the theological arguments, there are significant societal risks. Legalizing assisted suicide sends a dangerous message that some lives, particularly those marked by illness or disability, may be deemed less valuable or a “burden,” potentially leading to subtle or overt coercion. It fundamentally alters the role of healthcare professionals from healers to facilitators of death, eroding the sacred trust between patient and physician. Furthermore, the experience of other jurisdictions that have legalized such practices demonstrates a concerning “slippery slope,” where eligibility criteria are often expanded over time, encompassing broader categories of individuals.

    New York should instead prioritize robust investment in palliative care, hospice services, and mental health support. These are the truly compassionate responses to suffering, allowing individuals to live with dignity and comfort until their natural end, surrounded by love and care. We must not capitulate to a “culture of death” that seeks to solve suffering by eliminating the sufferer.

    Therefore, I urge you, Governor Hochul, to stand firm against this perilous legislation. Exercise your executive authority to veto the Medical Aid in Dying Act. By doing so, you will uphold the timeless values of human dignity and the sanctity of life, affirming New York’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens and respecting the deeply held spiritual convictions of millions.

    Thank you for your time and earnest consideration of this critical matter.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus
    Community Activist