Mayor of Kyrenia Stands Up for Pakistanis and Bangladeshis

The Mayor of Kyrenia, Murat Shengul, criticized racist messages from Turkish Cypriots towards Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Foreigners came to walk along the ancient waterfront during the holidays and encountered attacks from the local population on social media.

The mayor shared his observations during the holidays, especially during the first two days of Eid al-Fitr.

Regarding offensive remarks towards foreign workers, the city's head drew attention to his personal page on social media.

"Some of you may not like what I wrote, but the messages I saw, especially in the first two days of the holiday, do not correspond to the culture and humanity of us, Turkish Cypriots," wrote the mayor.

In his post, the mayor compared the attitude of indigenous people towards poor workers who come to the country for work and more affluent foreigners from other countries, many of whom engage in various illegal activities.

"What can Pakistanis and Bangladeshis do in northern Cyprus? They can clean our gardens, lay gas, work on construction sites, take away the food we eat in restaurants, wash our dishes, and even take care of our children. But when these people go on vacation for 2 days twice a year, we think, 'It would be great if they didn't go out on the streets, didn't go to the market, and didn't come to see the renovated Port like us, the superior race, Turkish Cypriots,'" the mayor ironized.

At the same time, the city's leader emphasized that "those who have to leave thousands of kilometers away from their homeland to live like human beings do not engage in illegal activities, do not abuse, do not drive under the influence, do not use or deal drugs."

"At the same time, we remain silent while those who launder money, ignore the laws of the country, and engage in various illegal activities drive through the streets in Ferraris, sail on the most luxurious yachts, and dine in expensive restaurants," the post's author lamented.

"We cannot engage in racism and/or micronationalism towards poor people because we suffer from other things; it is inappropriate," emphasized the mayor.