A commemorative program was held at our university as part of July 15th Democracy and National Unity Day.

The speech delivered by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, offered a historical perspective to the participants and reiterated the significance of July 15th in national memory.

Beginning his speech by commemorating our martyrs with respect, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar highlighted the ancient roots of the Turkish state tradition. He emphasized the continuity of the Turkish state mentality from the Huns to the Republic, and the reflections of elements such as the congress, tribal organization, and the concept of justice, which formed the foundation of the political structure, in today's understanding.

"The history of our nation is the history of resistance and justice"

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, also touched on the transformation in the relationship between state, law, and bureaucracy following the adoption of Islam and the institutionalization process during the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic. Recalling all the military interventions from 1960 to February 28th, Karasar stated that these disruptions were painful experiences in the history of Turkish democracy. Karasar emphasized the historical significance of the resolve displayed on July 15th, saying, “But now we are a nation that climbed onto tanks and resisted the coup.”

“July 15th is not an ordinary coup attempt; it is the greatest betrayal our nation has ever witnessed in its history.”

Karasar stated that FETÖ’s treacherous coup attempt on July 15, 2016, was not merely a security crisis but an all-out invasion of the state’s sovereignty and the will of the people. He reminded them that this attempt was defeated thanks to the civilian resistance of the people. “That night, our nation stood in front of the tanks, shielding the bullets with their bodies. This was not just a popular movement; it was one of the greatest acts of civilian resistance in history,” he said.

“We will not forget, we will not let it be forgotten”

Prof. Dr. In his speech, Karasar highlighted FETÖ's years-long insidious structuring, stating that the nation's foresight and faith had prevented this treacherous network from gaining access. Recalling the words of the late Alev Alatlı, founder of KÜN, "Remember that Türkiye cannot be understood with a simple mind, it cannot be measured by compasses or rulers; it has its own unique identity. It will not sink. If it does, the oceans will overflow!", he stated that the resilience and high consciousness of the Turkish nation were once again evident on the night of July 15th.