Message from Rector Dalgar on the 105th anniversary of the acceptance of the National Anthem

İstiklâl Marşı, milletimizin hürriyet iradesini ve korkmaz karakterini ebedîleştiren millî mutabakat metnidir.

Today we proudly celebrate the 105th anniversary of the acceptance of our İstiklâl Marşı. 12 March 1921 is a historical turning point where the unwavering will, faith, and common conscience of our dear nation for independence were embodied in verses. 

Our İstiklâl Marşı, accepted in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, is an immortal declaration of independence that clearly reveals with what belief, sacrifice, and high character a nation defends its freedom by rejecting captivity.

İstiklâl Marşı, during the toughest days of the War of Independence, expressed the spiritual roots, determination to fight, and unshakeable character of our nation; it transformed our will to live freely, our love for the homeland, and our horizon of independence into an eternal memory. 

This great work is the strongest expression of our nation's prayer, resilience, dignity, and fearless will. In this respect, understanding İstiklâl Marşı means realizing with which values our nation stands and with what spirit it walks towards the future.

Our national poet Mehmet Âkif Ersoy is an exceptional man of cause who became the voice of our nation's feelings with his pen, guided with his ideas, and set an example for generations with his morality and personality. Akif is a great thinker who carried the burden of his era on his shoulders, felt the pain of his nation in his heart, and integrated the truth he believed in with his life. The works he produced and the values he represented continue to shed light on our nation today.

As a university named after Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, we see carrying this great legacy as an honorable trust and a heavy responsibility. With all the means and efforts of our university; we aim to raise generations who are competent in science, mature in morality, conscientious, hardworking, and have a high sense of responsibility towards their country and humanity. The way to truly commemorate Mehmet Âkif is to keep the values he expressed alive in every area of life, not seeing them as mere memories.

With these feelings, on the anniversary of the acceptance of our İstiklâl Marşı, I commemorate with mercy, gratitude, and respect all the heroes of our independence struggle, especially our national poet Mehmet Âkif Ersoy. 

The high spirit carried by our İstiklâl Marşı will always continue to live in the memory of our nation and in the hearts of our young generations.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin DALGAR
Rector