Sevda Türküsev Calls Out Racism Over Hande Erçel’s Arabic Greeting: You Can’t Explain Anything to This Mindset...

Sevda Türküsev has sparked debate online after addressing the backlash aimed at Hande Erçel for greeting the audience in Arabic at a Saudi event. In a blunt, emotional rant, she called the reactions “racist,” arguing that many people are happy to profit from Saudi connections but suddenly switch to outrage when Arabic is spoken.

“From here, I want to address the people who are being racist because Hande Erçel gave a greeting in Arabic.

When you go to Saudi Arabia, attend events and make money, go to concerts and make money, go to fashion shows in Saudi Arabia and make money—when you earn money from these kinds of openings and award ceremonies over there, there’s no problem.

But the moment Hande Erçel, or anyone else, says a greeting in Arabic, suddenly your racism kicks in—or what you call, in quotes, your so-called nationalism kicks in?

Everyone else spoke English, including Halit Ergenç. When you go to a country and greet people in English, French, German—let’s say Italian—there’s no issue. But when someone greets in Arabic, all of a sudden some people get irritated. And what that means, subconsciously—sorry to say—is racism.

It’s the same in Turkey: when you rent apartments to Arabs and take thousands of dollars, there’s no problem. When Arabs shop in luxury malls, carrying bags and suitcases, there’s no problem. But when Arabs come into the country, it’s suddenly ‘Oh wow…’

You go to England—there are tons of Turks there. Germany too. Many countries. Right now, there are loads of Turks in Umrah.

This is a colonial mindset: ‘I’ll make my money, but I’ll still condemn them.’ That’s a completely fascist way of thinking.

Now, like I said—okay, fine, let’s say I agree with you. If you’re really that annoyed by Arabs, then don’t sell them anything. Don’t go to their events. Don’t benefit from anything related to Saudi Arabia or Arab culture… Fine—don’t even listen to their music. Though people share music too, and that’s a separate topic.

So, dear Dilan and dear viewers, you can’t explain anything to people with this mindset.”

Sevda Türküsev:

"Bu ülkede kadın ne yaparsa yapsın hiçbir şekilde ayyuka çıkarmıyorlar. Özgürlük ile hadsizliği ve edepsizliği karıştırmayın.

Aynısını erkek yapsa şimdiye kadar sapıklık ve tacizden cezaevini boylamıştı.

Ayağıyla dokunmayı bırak. Adamın karşısında eteğini… pic.twitter.com/tN8Uelj4bD

— ENSONHABER (@ensonhaber) July 9, 2025