Bilal Erdoğan calls for upholding President’s political legacy for future generations

 Ahmet Taş / Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE — Bilal Erdoğan, the President of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation, has issued a significant call to the younger generation and the nation’s institutional leaders, urging them to "realize and exalt the spirit" of the political legacy established by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Speaking in an expansive interview on the "Zû Şan" program, hosted by the Qatar-based media platform Atheer, Erdoğan delved into a wide spectrum of topics. These ranged from the personal challenges of growing up in a politically charged household to the strategic necessity of Islamic unity in the face of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The interview served as a manifesto for how the "Erdoğan Vision" should be carried forward, not just in the halls of government, but through the fabric of civil society and the education system.

The mandate for the future generation

One of the most poignant moments of the interview focused on the continuity of Türkiye’s regional role and the President's lifelong mission. Bilal Erdoğan emphasized that the work started by his father is a long-term project that requires dedication from all sectors of society.

"Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has worked for this mission and continues to do so with unwavering resolve," he stated. "I believe that we—those who come after him—must work to realize and exalt this spirit. Whether we are active in politics, social life, non-governmental organizations, or the field of education, our goal must be to uphold this vision."

This statement is seen as a strategic reminder that the "Turkish Century" vision is not dependent on a single individual, but on a collective institutional and social effort to maintain the momentum Türkiye has gained over the past two decades.

Personal roots and a childhood in the shadow of coups

Providing a rare glimpse into his personal life, Bilal Erdoğan described the difficulty of being the child of a prominent political figure during Türkiye’s more turbulent years. Born shortly after the 1980 military coup, he recalled how his father was often away, attending the trials of the late Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan. This connection is even reflected in his name, "Necmeddin Bilal," given in honor of Erbakan.

"Growing up in the house of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan meant seeing your father very little," he admitted. He noted that while he and his siblings questioned this absence as children, they eventually realized that their parents were working for a "higher and more sacred cause." This sense of purpose, he explained, became the foundational belief for the entire family.

Erdoğan also spoke with pride about his mother, Emine Erdoğan’s Arab heritage. Born into a Siirt-based Arab family, her roots brought a rich cultural layer to their household. "My mother is Arab and she loves her heritage. I am proud to be the child of an Arab mother," he said, highlighting the marriage of a father from Rize and a mother from Siirt as a testament to Türkiye’s diverse and open-minded cultural tapestry.

Reflections on July 15 and the power of the people

The interview also touched upon the traumatic night of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. Bilal Erdoğan detailed the events from the perspective of the family, describing how they were at the Tarabya residence when they first heard of the bridge closures and heard the sonic booms of fighter jets.

He credited the failure of the coup to the direct connection between the leader and the people. "When the people saw their leader standing against the tanks, they took to the streets," he said. Recalling the tense atmosphere at Atatürk Airport, where guns were pointed at their residence, he noted that the sheer number of civilians surrounding the building prevented a massacre, as the coup plotters "did not dare" to fire into such a massive crowd.

Gaza, Western hypocrisy, and the need for unity

On the international stage, Bilal Erdoğan was vocal about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. He accused the Western world of extreme "double standards," pointing out that while Russian athletes were sanctioned almost immediately following the invasion of Ukraine, no such pressure has been applied to Israel.

He praised Türkiye's decision to halt trade with Israel as a significant economic sacrifice but stressed that more is needed from the wider Islamic world. "If all Islamic countries had cut off trade, Israel would have been forced to stop within a few months," he asserted. He further argued that Israel must be held financially accountable for the eventual reconstruction of Gaza.

Building a "Comparative" educational model

As the head of the İlim Yayma Foundation and a founder of Ibn Haldun University, Bilal Erdoğan is deeply invested in Türkiye’s intellectual future. He argued that Türkiye must move toward a "cultural identity construction" that does not merely mimic the West.

"From the West, we should take science and industry," he explained. "But we can develop without abandoning our own identity." His vision for education involves a "comparative" approach where students are well-versed in both Western thought and their own historical and religious traditions, aiming to create a new generation of intellectuals who are "mentally independent."

In conclusion, Bilal Erdoğan’s interview underscores a shift from active political campaigning to the institutionalization of a political and social philosophy. His message is clear: the "spirit" of the current era must be transformed into a permanent cultural and educational legacy.

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