First lady tells of her difficult days in Çankaya Palace
ISTANBUL
Hayrunisa Gül. AA Photo
First
Lady Hayrunisa Gül has shared the difficult memories of her first
days in Çankaya Palace during an interview for her new book, daily Türkiye
reported today.
Gül
told reporters that she was prevented from using the door that is
used during reception ceremonies, because she wore a headscarf.
"The
palace have several different doors. Official ceremonies and receptions
are held at the 'A' door. If a foreign president comes with his wife,
Turkish presidents welcome them with his wife, too. It was like this until
we came.” Gül said. “However, I was prevented from welcoming guests with
my husband at the 'A' door. We went to the 'A' door only for photo
shooting after welcoming guests at the 'C' door, which is behind
'A.'”
Gül
also said that she considered the "C" door the “punishment
door.”
“It
was an insult not only for me, but also for all women in Turkey,”
the first lady said. “Thanks to God, those days are in the past now,
but I confess it was not easy.”
