- Mr. Oktar, you are very popular, but you also have been a target of criticism lately. For example, the statements of Ali Erbas, the head of the Religious Affairs Department regarding you and your TV program. I would like to ask you about how he expressed discontent over your program’s combination of religious references and entertainment. Why do you think you were particularly singled out and made a target?
Adnan Oktar: Religion, entertainment, life, everything in fact, are inseparable, they are connected. In other words, there can be nowhere, no time where religion should be absent. One should think about God even while showering. One can talk about God during a wedding, celebrations, or festivals. I don't think it is right to suggest that there should be no place for the Qur'an, for religion, for mention of God in such places or at such times. I believe that the Head of the Religious Affairs Department will reconsider this point.
- Why do you think this happened now, and not before?
Adnan Oktar: I believe that the British deep state is growing more uneasy, especially after they heard that the third volume of the book [on the British deep state] is on the way and that the third volume will be naming names. They must have activated certain circles, which in turn activated some other circles etc. In the end, in such things, individuals cannot know the source of things. They probably thought that ‘let’s step up the pressure and keep them quiet’. This is very wrong. Turkey is a democratic country, we need to be free. Our freedoms must increase and expand. I believe that the Head of the Religious Affairs Department will take this point into account.
- I heard that you haven’t been given an official notice about it yet, but I want to talk about the television watchdog’s decision to fine and suspend your program. What do you think about the fact that this penalty came after the statements of the Head of Religious Affairs Department and your subsequent response to him? Do you think that the two are connected?
Adnan Oktar: Possibly, yes. They might be feeling under pressure. I don't think what is happening right now is very normal, but of course I respect their decision. They didn't want the ladies to be in the audience here. And now there are no ladies. They didn't want music, and now we aren’t playing music. Actually, there was no reason for any of that, but nevertheless, they took that stance. I think this shows that they are under pressure from certain circles. But I believe that in time, they will realize their mistakes and act differently.
- You must know about the new law regarding the regulation of Internet broadcasts by the television watchdog. I read in a couple of news websites that the real target of the law is A9, your TV program. I read those, what do you think about this? Do you think the television watchdog regulating the Internet broadcasts, which could be censorship or could come in the form of fines, is intended for A9’s internet broadcasts? And what do you think in general about the television watchdog regulating the Internet broadcasts?
Adnan Oktar: I don't know about its extent, I don't know what they mean by the law. So I cannot say for sure, because I don't know what it will apply to. But at the end of the day, freedom is good. Freedom of expression is good. Freedom improves science, improves intelligences, improves art. Human soul is paralyzed when oppressed, loses its creativity. Pressure kills imagination, innovation. When there is pressure, people lose their joy, and life becomes dull. So, I don't think it is right. And I absolutely do not believe that this decision is about us, because they were uncomfortable with my lady friends in the audience, and now they are no longer there. In other words, there is no more question of ladies wearing revealing clothes. If it was about music, [it is also no longer a problem, because] we are now listening to only janissary band songs, national, patriotic songs. If they think that this is also wrong, we won’t play those either. So, there is something strange going on here. As a matter of fact, I think this could be down to certain circles trying to sabotage the government and its votes by making the government look like it is targeting the freedoms. They might be thinking that this will weaken the government and reduce its votes. I have suspicions that these attempts might be due to a desire to undermine President Erdogan and AK Party. AK Party is a defender of freedoms. But the recent events paint a picture where freedoms are targeted. I have suspicions that this might be a deliberate move.
We are doing whatever the authorities require us to do, so that was never a problem. In fact, I cannot quite understand what the real problem is. I believe that this is nothing other than the British deep state hurting. They took action and influenced certain circles, which started a chain reaction. As a result, I think some people are doing things, making unwarranted moves without knowing why they are doing it. Because these books [on the British deep state] created a tremendous effect. The British deep state is backed into a corner. Official statements are made about the matter in Britain. They are really troubled. As far as I can see, they are trying to stop this because official statements keep coming from Britain.
- Can you tell us about your recent war of words with Akit TV?
Adnan Oktar: Akit TV is not liked by the people, they have no support in the Turkish society. They are an isolated group living on the fringes. They are usually against Ataturk, and the secular system. Turkish people stay away from them, don't like them at all. Therefore, Turkish people don't pay any attention to what they say. No one is taking them seriously. They are a lonely group. And it seems that they have a rather strange system within their circle. It looks like there is an inappropriate structure there.
- Thank you very much for answering my questions. Thank you.
Adnan Oktar: Thank you.
