The July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day was commemorated at MAKÜ

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) commemorated the martyrs with mercy and conveyed messages of national unity and solidarity during the program it organized for the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

The program, which started with the recitation of the Quran, included a prayer by Prof. Dr. Yasin Pişgin, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at MAKÜ. In his opening speech for the commemoration program, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar stated that July 15 is one of the important turning points in Turkey's recent history that should not be forgotten, emphasizing that universities are responsible not only for training individuals with professions but also for raising generations committed to their country and nation.

"We should not rent our minds to anyone"

Rector Dalgar emphasized that one of the most important lessons to be learned from July 15 is for individuals to protect their own will, stating that the painful experiences of the past show what can happen when one does not question and submits to the guidance of others.

Pointing out that digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies bring new risks today, Rector Dalgar stated that especially young people should evaluate the information and guidance they encounter on digital platforms with a critical perspective. He highlighted the importance of effectively using technology and expressed that it is crucial for individuals to maintain their reasoning in decision-making processes.

"The consciousness of state and nation is above everything"

In his speech, Rector Dalgar also touched upon the culture of democracy, stating that respect for the will of the nation is a fundamental element of democratic life, and that the unity and integrity of the state should be prioritized over political views.

Recalling Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s lines, "As hearts strike together, the cannon cannot digest it," Rector Dalgar stated that Turkey has overcome many difficulties throughout its history thanks to unity and solidarity. He emphasized that the spirit of common solidarity has been decisive in many critical processes, from the National Struggle to the fight against terrorism and the night of July 15.

Rector Dalgar also emphasized the importance of July 15 commemoration programs for future generations, stating that such events contribute to keeping the national memory alive, and expressed his feelings of gratitude for the martyrs and respect for the veterans.

The national memory extending from Turkish epics to July 15

As part of the program, Dr. İbrahim Akça from the Faculty of Theology at MAKÜ gave a conference titled "From the Turkish Epic Tradition to the Spirit of July 15."

In his speech, Akça stated that epics are not only stories of heroism but also cultural heritage works that carry the common memory and independence ideal of nations to future generations, explaining that independence, unity, the will to establish a state, and the idea of resurrection are prominent in the epics of Ergenekon, Bozkurt, Oğuz Kağan, and Dede Korkut.

Stating that in the post-Islamic period, the understanding of "Alp" transformed into the identity of "Gazi-Alperen" with works such as Battalnâme, Danişmendnâme, and Saltuknâme, Akça expressed that during the National Struggle period, works by figures such as Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, Yahya Kemal, Necip Fazıl, Arif Nihat Asya, and Ziya Gökalp played an important role in the formation of the national memory.

Akça noted that the national will demonstrated on the night of July 15, 2016, should also be evaluated as a continuation of the independence struggle in Turkish history, stating that the determination of the Turkish nation to protect its existence and independence has continued uninterrupted throughout history.

The photo exhibition was visited, prayers were made for the martyrs

After the conference, participants visited the exhibition consisting of photographs reflecting the spirit of July 15.

As part of the commemoration events, prayers were also made for the martyrs after the Friday prayer at MAKÜ Mosque on July 10, and participants were offered helva. The program was held with the intense participation of academic and administrative staff.