CIVIL ENTERPRISE & LEADERSHIP

“Maruzat” is an Arabic term passed on to Turkish from the Ottoman period. When an individual talks or writes to someone of a higher standing in terms of position, title or age, the information they wish to communicate would be in the form of a request. During the Ottoman period, individuals perceived the government as being at a much higher level than themselves. When they would speak with local officials, to voice their concerns, they would voice that they had a request, or “submission.” This important social initiative was aimed at changing this habit. It served to remind citizens that government is there to serve them, and that their desire to participate in the decisions that affect their city was included in a detailed presentation called "No More "Submission, Only Participation" which relayed Eminönü’s problems in expectation of solutions.