First Lady Of Turkiye Is The Modern Muslim Spouse- Not Only In The Background For Her And Her Team During The UNGA
First Lady Of Turkiye Is The Modern Muslim Spouse- Not Only In The Background For Her And Her Team During The UNGA
Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of the Republic of Turkiye, almost glides rather than walks. Yet, there is an ordinary, approachable, regalness about her. There is an “I can talk to her” essence.
An air of normalcy for the wife of the man who is a consequential head of state for one of the most consequential nations of the twenty-first century.
Her husband is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye (2014- ). They have been married for forty-five years and have five children.
During three days of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, New York, during September 2023, Mrs. Erdogan hosted three events on consecutive days at the 36-floor Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkiye to the United Nations, known as Turkevi Center (Turkish House), situated directly across from the United Nations Headquarters.
In the real estate sector, the mantra from agents is “location, location, location” which in political terms translates into proximity to power. Turkevi Center is adjacent to the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations, and both overlook the United Nations Headquarters. That optic is a message. Depending upon the time of day, walk out of the United Nations Headquarters and you may be in the shadow of the United States of America and the Republic of Turkiye. Even if there is no shadow, there is the presence.
“H.E. Mrs. Emine Erdoğan First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye Kindly requests the pleasure of your company to the event "The World is Our Common Home: Path to the Global Zero Waste Movement” on 18 September 2023.
“H.E. Mrs. Emine ERDOĞAN Kindly requests the pleasure of your company to the event “Fabrics Atlas of Turkiye: Anatolian Heritage Fabrics”” on 19 September 2023.
A “high-level side event titled “All Together to the Better” on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices of the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Emine ERDOĞAN, hosted by the Ministry of Family and Social Services” on 20 September 2023. This event was held on the terrace of Turkevi House- so with perfect weather, a spectacular location overlooking the East River and the United Nations Headquarters.
A poignant moment at the conclusion of this event was a presentation to guests of a beautifully crafted men’s tie. Carefully presented with a note: “As the Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Turkiye, we extend out heartfelt appreciation for the international support and assistance for the devasting earthquakes that struck our nation on 6th February 2023. We are honored to present you this handcrafted gift made by the earthquake survivors living in container cities. Earthquake survivors are offered vocational trainings by our government and civil society organizations to enhance their livelihoods and psychosocial well-beings. We are pleased to inform you that the income from the sales of these products that you have received as a gift is used to support earthquake survivors.”
Two inescapable observations. First, Mrs. Erdogan is very well practiced at using a teleprompter. Far more capable than most seasoned politicians. Not obvious looking to the left or to the right; pretty much straight ahead- with eye contact. Second, what Mrs. Erdogan delivers. The remarks are on-point and do not, as many seasoned politicians do, stray from the moment, from the purpose of the event. That is a demonstration of respect to not only those who have created the event, but for the participants and guests. The speech-writing teams assisting Mrs. Erdogan are also clearly focused upon each event rather than crafting a generic text that is rolled from one event to another. This separation is critical to the separation of President Erdogan from Mrs. Erdogan. He is not her voice, and she is not his voice. They may agree, but they are not one. They are two.
Why is the schedule of Mrs. Erdogan significant? Her husband, President Erdogan, is a commanding presence- when he is speaking, listening, or playing basketball; whether siting on a bench in Central Park in New York City, as he did in September 2022 during the UNGA, absent his normal robust perimeter security- and welcoming anyone who recognized him, including a wedding party- to sit beside him or stand beside him and take a “selfie”; and seated at a four-person table in a restaurant- surrounded by whomever happened to be there at the moment. So, there is a perception, clearly proven wrong this week, that the first couple model, particularly for a conservative Muslim couple, would be a First Lady who may be more seen and less heard.
This week, Mrs. Erdogan and her team efficiently and effectively shattered that perception. The events were well-attended- particularly with her First Lady counterparts and other senior-level officials representing many countries. Eric Adams, the Mayor of the City of New York (2022- ), attended one event and delivered remarks. There were readings, music, performances, videos, displays, a live artist demonstration, and not surprisingly, incredible cuisine. Guests were also presented with books, a beautiful Tasbih (prayer beads), purse, and a tie. Mrs. Erdogan made herself available for photographs with guests.
Valuable to appreciate the sophistication of the First Lady’s teams- the media team, the personal team, the security team. There is an audience outreach- and it is broad. There is flexibility rather than rigidity. Mrs. Erdogan had a schedule to maintain, but an added minutes here and added minutes there, an additional moment of conversation, the security team permitting a wide protective “bubble” to encourage encounters rather than preventing them.
Noticeable as well was a lack of Mrs. Erdogan’s team conveying a “let’s get this done and get out of here” atmosphere which would have been understandable given the schedule of the First Lady.