As part of the 10th anniversary events of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a commemoration program was held at Biruni University.
Speaking at the program held at the central campus of the university, Biruni University Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Yüksel said that traitors are trying to destroy the human resources in Türkiye, but they will all strive together to keep this nation alive forever.
Stating that traitors do not sit idle, Yüksel said, "This country will forever teach democracy to the world. But that is why we need to be strong, active and strive. The stronger we are, the more our words will be listened to. To be strong, universities will first work very well. This diligence will be reflected to the public. We will make good use of our time, but we will always be alert." he said.
Yüksel stated that on the night of July 15, people from all segments of society set out without thinking about anything, saying "homeland and nation".
Biruni University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Çelik stated that they did not anticipate that warplanes and coup plotters would point guns at the people on July 15, which left deep traces in the nation's memory.
Çelik said, "Actually, that night was not just the night when the coup attempt was prevented. It was a day when the will of the nation, democracy, legal order and the basic values of the republic were targeted, but in return, our nation took a historical stance with its common conscience, courage and determination. Although the beginning was bad, the result was incredible." he said.
Ahmet Alkılıç, who became a veteran after being shot in the head and shoulder on the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, noted that everyone went to the streets as Mehmetçik during the coup attempt.
In Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Address to the Youth, "The power you need is available in the noble blood in your veins." Recalling that he said, Alkılıç said, "It is within us, in our blood. You don't know it, you don't understand it, but that day when that divine order comes, when you go out and challenge the enemy, it suddenly comes to life. At that moment, you neither feel fear nor think about your future." he said.
Gülsu Yağcı, the wife of Murat Naiboğlu, who was martyred during the attempt to occupy the Türk Telekom building in Acıbadem, stated that some dates shape not only the past but also the future, and July 15 is such a date.
Yağcı said, "July 15 reminded us of a reality. The greatest power of a nation is its commitment to common values as well as its technology, economic opportunities or military capacity, its sense of unity, its trust in each other and its common ideal for the future. Today, in its 10th year, the way to keep this spirit alive is not just to remember, but to produce, develop and contribute to the future." he said.
In the program where a video about the July 15 coup attempt was shown, plaques were given to the participants.