Turkish MP Serkan Bayram in London: “Remove visa barriers for people with disabilities!”
By Alpaslan Düven – London
Turkish MP Serkan Bayram, whose life story has reached international audiences through his book and film *A Grain of Wheat* (*Buğday Tanesi*), called for the removal of visa barriers facing people with disabilities during a panel discussion at the University of Greenwich in London. His appeal to make international travel more accessible was one of the most striking messages of the event.
Serkan Bayram, a Member of Parliament for Türkiye’s ruling AK Party, met with university students in London as part of the events marking the 10 November commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The panel and discussion took place at the University of Greenwich, in collaboration with the university and the Turkish student community. Bayram spoke about his personal journey, his struggles, his book *A Grain of Wheat*, and the film based on his life.
The event brought together Turkish student societies from several London universities, including City, Greenwich, University College London (UCL) and Imperial College.
“You don’t lose when you fall; you lose when you give up”
Sharing his life story with students, Bayram explained that *A Grain of Wheat* was much more than a film about his own experiences. He described it as a social responsibility project aimed at inspiring millions of people facing challenges in their lives.
He said the project had received more than one billion views and won 56 national awards.
Addressing young people, Bayram said:
“We teach young people to dream. We tell them: You don’t lose when you fall; you lose when you give up. Let us hold one another’s hands, stay connected through our hearts, and never let go.”
“Remove visa barriers for people with disabilities!”
One of the most prominent issues raised during Bayram’s speech was the visa restrictions faced by people with disabilities when travelling internationally.
Bayram called for bureaucratic barriers preventing disabled people from travelling, studying, participating in cultural activities and attending international events to be removed.
His message was clear: **“Remove the visa barriers for people with disabilities!”**
He stressed that disability should never prevent anyone from exploring the world, accessing education, travelling to other countries or participating fully in social life.
Bayram argued that the vision of a more inclusive and accessible world must extend beyond physical accessibility to include the removal of administrative and international barriers.
“Born in Türkiye, now reaching the world”
Speaking about the international journey of his personal story, Bayram said that what began in Türkiye had grown into a project with a global reach.
He explained that *A Grain of Wheat* addresses not only disability but also issues such as bullying among children, children’s rights, women’s participation in society and discrimination.
He emphasised that the project seeks to bring people together regardless of religion, language, race or disability.
Bayram also spoke about his international engagements, including a programme in South Korea, invitations from universities in different countries, honorary doctorates and speeches delivered at international parliamentary institutions.
He recalled previously holding an event and receiving an award at the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament.
Target: Reaching four million people by 2028
Bayram said the international journey of *A Grain of Wheat* would continue, with the ambition of reaching four million people around the world by 2028.
He also paid tribute to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, commemorating the 88th anniversary of his passing on 10 November with respect, gratitude and appreciation.
Students’ questions, flower presentation and commemorative photographs
At the conclusion of the event, Bayram answered questions from students, taking part in an engaging discussion about his life, work and the messages behind *A Grain of Wheat*.
He was then presented with flowers in recognition of his participation. The event concluded with Bayram posing for commemorative photographs alongside the students.
Bayram’s visit to London also included meetings with representatives of Turkish civil society organisations and political representatives.
The Greenwich University event brought his personal journey and social responsibility work to an international student audience, while his call to remove visa barriers for people with disabilities emerged as one of the key messages of the occasion.
His central message was that an accessible world must mean more than removing physical obstacles: it must also mean breaking down bureaucratic barriers that prevent people with disabilities from travelling, connecting and participating in international life.
