Turkish pop star Sezen Aksu under fire over religious reference in 2017 song

A group of Ankara residents have filed a criminal complaint against Turkish pop icon Sezen Aksu over what they are calling song lyrics that "degrade religious values,’’ Deutsche Welle Turkish reported on Monday.

The complaints stem from the 67-year-old prolific songwriter’s track called ‘’Şahane Bir Şey Yaşamak’’ (It is a wonderful thing to live), dating back to 2017, DW said.

The complaint against Aksu refers to the lyrics of the song addressing the trials of life, which include, "Give my regards to the ignorant Eve and Adam," an apparent reference to the pair’s expulsion from the heavens to Earth.

Adam is considered the first Prophet on Earth, according to Islamic teachings.

Aksu has faced  a wave of criticism after releasing a new video for the song on New Year's eve, prompting the ire from pro-government social media users. 

Lawmaker with Turkey’s ruling Islamist-leaning Justice and Development Party (AKP) Mustafa Açıkgöz on Saturday blasted the musician, acceding her of attacking Turkey’s values "under the guise of arts and music’’

"Our people are fed up with people like you" Açıkgöz said on Twitter. 

Yeter!
Sanat, müzik kisvesi altında değerlerimize yaptığınız saldırılara artık son verin, “Modanız Geçti”, toplumumuz sizin gibilerden bıktı! #SezenAksuHaddiniBil

— Mustafa Açıkgöz ?? (@kulmustafa77_ac) January 15, 2022

Meanwhile, the head of the pro-AKP National Survival Movement, Murat Şahin on Sunday threatened the pop icon with a physical showing at her residence.

“We will be at your door at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow,” Şahin wrote on Twitter.

14 Temmuz 2016’da “CUNTA” imalı şarkının sözlerini yazan, dün de dini hassasiyetlerimize hakaret içeren şarkı sözlerini piyasaya sürerek kinini kusan, fetönun “aziz dostum” dediği sami yıldırım’ın kızı #sezenaksu yarın 20:30’da kapındayız… #Boşbakan #GizliÇıkış #Teşkilat Şaka pic.twitter.com/Zck6Be36wc

— Murat Şahin ?? (@muratsahin2023) January 16, 2022

The backlash against Aksu has prompted a number of musicians to express support for the popstar.  Fellow pop singers Mustafa Sandal and Demet Akalın took to Twitter to defend Aksu, calling her a "national treasure,’’ whose lyrics had been "distorted.’’

Sen otur oturduğun yerde gördüğüm kadarıyla bir gram aklın var onu da bu ülkenin en derin ozanlarından biri olan sanatçının ne dediğini anlamaya çalışmakla yakma güzel kardeşim!.. Bir şarkı sözünü böylesine çarptırmak akıl ve mantık dışıdır. #sezenaksu pic.twitter.com/Uf8BTd2K9t

— Mustafa Sandal (@mustinetnet) January 15, 2022

Aksu, who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide, is credited with laying the foundations of Turkish pop music in the 1970s and continues to top the country's music charts.