Turkey's Brave Man, Not Just Sivas'

In the hours that I was writing this column, rushing to have it completed before the newspaper goes to print today, the authorities had still not been able to reach the helicopter that crashed in the central province of Kahramanmaraş.

The fact that officials have not been able to reach the crash site 48 hours after the fact has revealed how behind we are in technology. This shortcoming is another source of sadness for us. But it would be unfair to use this situation to attack the government ahead of the elections. The leaders of all political parties are working together and it is important that this atmosphere of unity is protected.

This devastating accident instantly cast a shadow over the elections. We transformed from being worldly and political to being humane. Every political party has canceled their rallies. There is pain, sadness and hope on the one hand and the manifestation of maturity and virtue on the other. If only we could avoid insulting each other on every platform, including politics. If only we could avoid exaggerating worldly issues and becoming prisoners of our ambitions.

Yazicioğlu was more than just the leader of the Grand Unity Party (BBP), he was a unique politician. In fact, he was unlike traditional politicians. He was a man of vision and goals. He was a former chairman of the ultranationalist youth club affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), known as Ülkü Ocaklari. He was prosecuted after the Sept. 12, 1980, coup d'état and sentenced to prison. Many remember Yazicioğlu as a suspect in the MHP and Ülkü foundations case. But not many know that Yazicioğlu served seven-and-a-half years, of which five and half were in solitary confinement, in Mamak Prison. Moreover, Yazicioğlu was never convicted of any crimes during his sentence. Can you imagine living five-and-a-half years in a tiny little cell?

This ordeal not only made Yazicioğlu more mature, but increased the number of loyal supporters around him. These people stood by him even when Yazicioğlu failed to garner support for his party.

Why didn't his supporters abandon him? Because they believed in his sincerity. They developed a close connection with him and did not want to abandon a man of such high character. Everything about Yazicioğlu -- his stance, his nature -- was unique. He was a "real man." There are millions of people who vote for other parties but still respect and like Yazicioğlu. I had a telephone conversation with him just last week. He remembered me during this hectic period when all the parties are preparing for the elections and called me. He asked about my well-being, and I wished him good luck in the elections. He was a paragon of loyalty. He was a strong supporter of the educational activities recommended by respected Fethullah Gülen. He took a stern stance every time there was pressure on the "volunteer movement" stimulated by Gülen. "People from all walks of life respect Fethullah Gülen. Those who attack him are trying to cut a national vein," he said. The Turkish Olympics in particular made Yazicioğlu very excited and proud. He said these activities reflected the true face of Turkey, and he displayed his allegiance once again with these words: "I would like to thank very much the committee that organized the Turkish Olympics and the spiritual support and the architect behind it."

Yazicioğlu had another mission as well. He did not allow young men who were loyal to him to be used as pawns to prepare an atmosphere for a military coup. Members of the Ergenekon terror organization were especially disturbed by this. They tried to involve the members of Alperen Ocaklari, the youth branch of the BBP, in the killings of Catholic priest Andrea Santoro and journalist Hrant Dink.

There has been no official report on whether the helicopter carrying Yazicioğlu crashed due to weather conditions or technical malfunctions. But if there are ongoing debates on the plane crash regarding a former gendarmerie commander, then this helicopter crash will also be debated.

Muhsin Yazicioğlu is not only the brave man of Sivas, but also Turkey's brave man. Regardless of whether we support the BBP or not, we are all praying for him. May God return him to us quickly and safely.