A conference titled 'Our First Lesson is Palestine' was held at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ). In the program held at Avşarhan Cinema Hall, the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and the oppression faced by the Palestinian people were once again reminded to the students.
The conference was moderated by Dr. Lecturer Reyda Şıklaroğlu from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, who visited Palestine last year to see the events firsthand and frequently voiced calls for support. Şıklaroğlu emphasized the importance of preserving history and values by sharing what she witnessed there.
Rector Dalgar: “We will rely on God, we will strive.”
The first speech in the program was made by MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar. Dalgar expressed the ideal of our National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s “Asım’s Generation” with the following words:
“As a university, we bear the responsibility of raising a youth sensitive to social and humanitarian issues. The idea of our national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s “Asım’s Generation” illuminates our path. The youth described by Mehmet Akif is one that is well-educated in their field, equipped, a global citizen, sensitive to national and spiritual values, humanitarian issues, and nourished by their roots. We now understand the concept of being nourished by one’s roots more correctly. We have experienced how fundamental this understanding, once seen as banal, is: no tree can bear fruit without being nourished by its roots; no society can progress if it is detached from its roots. Turkey has realized this and is taking significant steps on this path. Hopefully, we will do more beautiful things... United Nations reports mention children whose limbs are amputated without anesthesia. These images shake the soul of a person. No one with a conscience can remain indifferent to these pains. Our duty is to create awareness about Gaza and work for the construction of a world that can say stop to such oppressions in the future. What needs to be done is to conduct serious diplomatic efforts, activate international mechanisms, accelerate humanitarian aid, and establish coordination with non-governmental organizations and international actors. Through these means, we must ensure accountability, the functioning of law, and the protection of victims. For this, we will rely on God, we will strive. May God help the oppressed. May God give strength and power to our state. Hopefully, this oppression, this massacre will end; the victims will be protected as soon as possible, and justice will be served. We pray for our Palestinian brothers and sisters and the oppressed all over the world.”
A striking message from a Gazan academic: “Enough is Enough!”
Asmaa K. M. Mutair, a lecturer at MAKÜ Faculty of Theology, who personally experienced the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, spoke at the conference. Mutair, who said her family also lives in a tent, stated, “There is no house, no water, no food... People live on the streets. Epidemic diseases are spreading due to the lack of clean water. Children and the elderly are at great risk. In short, in one word: disaster”.
Mutair, expressing that the war, which has been ongoing for more than two years, has become unbearable, said, “Enough is enough. It is impossible to describe how people live under these conditions. But I believe that peace will come soon. Because what everyone needs now is peace”.
Thanking Turkey for the aid to Gaza, Mutair shared her feelings with the words, “The treatment of patients in Ankara, the humanitarian aid provided is very valuable to us. Knowing that Turkey is with us gives us both hope and strength”.
In addition to Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, vice rectors Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy and Prof. Dr. Hakan Öner, academics, and many students attended the conference, where the drama in Palestine was once again brought to the agenda.
Participants felt the pain of the Palestinian people in their hearts throughout the program and prayed for peace and justice to prevail in Gaza.
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