WordBulletin

World Bulletin / News Desk

Renowned Turkish folk singer Müslüm Gürses, also known as Müslüm father, will be put to eternal rest on Monday.

The singer will be buried at the Zincirlikuyu cemetary following the ceremony at Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his sorrow at Gürses' death. At a meeting in the western province of Balıkesir, Erdoğan stated that Gürses was a gifted singer who influenced many generations with his songs. “May Allah forgive his faults. I would like to offer my condolences to his family, friends and all of his fans,” added Erdoğan. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli put his grief into words saying that Gürses had many fans with his voice and character. “May Allah rest his soul in peace, we will miss him,” Bahçeli said.

After the announcement of his death by Gürses' doctor, many of his fans flocked to the hospital and some were visibly upset in front of the building.

Gürses, who was 60 years old, was taken to the intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital in November after undergoing heart bypass surgery. He had been under treatment in intensive care for the past four months. His condition worsened on Friday and some media reports said on Friday that the famous singer had passed away, a claim later denied by his doctor, Deniz Şener.

The hospital where Gürses received treatment hosted many celebrities on Friday. Singers Ferdi Tayfur, Sezen Aksu and Orhan Gencebay paid visits to the famous singer.

Gürses was dubbed the “father of Arabesque music” in Turkey. He was born in the Halfeti district of the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa in 1953. He started his career at the age of 15 by participating in a song contest in his home town. His first album was released in 1968 after working in many night clubs. He also featured in 38 movies. Gürses had been married to Muhterem Nur since 1986.