Turkish politicians, bosses, footballers join ice bucket campaign

ISTANBUL

Comedy writer Gani Müjde joined the ice bucket challenge, before challenging on Davutoğlu.

Turkey has also caught up with the global trend of the “ice bucket challenge,” with politicians and business supremos joining the fun with the aim of raising awareness of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Several celebrities, including politicians, athletes and artists, joined the frenzy this week, pouring a bucket of ice or water over their heads and challenging three others to do the same, before making a donation to the foundations fighting the illness, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

On Aug. 25, Turkey’s prime minister-to-be, Ahmet Davutoğlu was among those whose were called to complete the challenge.

Comedy writer Gani Müjde joined the ice bucket challenge, before calling on Davutoğlu, who a day ago was named as prime minister and successor to President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as actor Bülent Emrah Parlak and transsexual diva Bülent Ersoy to do the same.

Davutoğlu is yet to answer the challenge, but Melda Onur has become the first deputy to join the fun. The main opposition Republican People Party’s (CHP) member has shot a video of a bucket of water and ice being poured on her before challenging Hayrünnisa Gül, Emine Erdoğan and Sare Davutoğlu, the wives of outgoing President Abdullah Gül, PM-elect Erdoğan and Davutoğlu, respectively.

The phenomenon also spread to Turkey’s business world, with Cem Hakko, the CEO of fashion giant Vakko, uploading a video of him undertaking the challenge via Power FM’s Facebook page, one of his group’s media channels. Hakko nominated fellow business supremos Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent, Mustafa Koç and Ali Sabancı to join the challenge.

Leading figures in Turkish football, including coaches and players from Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş have also posted their videos online.

In the United States, more than $42 million has reportedly been raised as part of the campaign since July 29. Despite the growing interest in the ice bucket challenge, the donation figures in Turkey are below 100,000 Turkish Liras, according to reports.

Turkey’s ALS Foundation head, İsmail Gökçek, Aug. 22 said: “Maybe 100,000 people participated in the campaign, but the total number of donations is not over 100.”