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Deutche Welle, September 20, 2025
Confident Turkish women are facing increasing restrictions. Female artists who do not conform to the government’s image of women are being targeted by the justice system. Now the girl band Manifest has been hit.
The atmosphere was exuberant on September 6, when six young women in tight outfits took to the stage in Istanbul’s sold-out open-air venue Kucukciftlik Park: A cheer went up from the crowd of 12,000 people who had joined in the dancing to the beat in the late summer heat.
The musicians — Mina, Esin, Zeynep Sude, Emine Hilal, Lidya und Sueda — are the members of Turkish girl band Manifest, which was formed in February following a talent show.
With their simple youthful lyrics and K-pop-inspired dance routines, Manifest quickly captured the hearts of teenagers. The band’s debut album, released in July, led to a successful tour.
After the concert in Istanbul, however, the band’s promising future seems to now be a part of the past. The public prosecutor’s office is investigating them for « indecent and immoral acts » and « exhibitionism. » Their stage show is said to have « violated and offended the feelings of shame, morality, and the moral values of society. » In addition, it is claimed that they have a bad influence on children and young people.
Targeting female artists
Oktay Saral, chief adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called the band members « immoral, shameless, demonic creatures » in a Turkish post on X and demanded legal action to prevent them from « further alleged exhibitionist acts. » He posted a photo of the group with their bodies blurred out.
After the interrogation, the band issued a statement emphasizing that they took responsibility for their show, but that it had never been their intention to hurt anyone. For the time being, they had to give up their dream of representing Turkey on the world stage. On X, they wrote that their Turkey tour, for which tickets sold out weeks ago, has been canceled. « We thank our audience for their interest and love »