A commemoration program for July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day was held at Manisa Celal Bayar University with the theme "The Will is Ours, the Victory is Ours".
A commemoration program with the theme "Our Will, Our Victory" was held at Manisa Celal Bayar University within the scope of the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. Martyr Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Campus Prof. Rector Prof. attended the program held at Ümit Doğay Arınç Cultural Center. Dr. Rana Kibar, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Kadir Ay and Prof. Dr. Oktay Üçer, deans, academic and administrative staff attended.
The program started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem. Following the video screening on July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day, Dr. Lecturer It continued with the recitation of the Holy Quran by member Adem Yenidoğan.
Rector Prof. made the opening speech of the program. Dr. Rana Kibar emphasized that July 15 was a historical turning point where the will of the nation and the determination to protect democracy were revealed in the strongest way.
In his speech, Rector Kibar said, "The dignified stance that our nation displayed in the face of all kinds of threats and attacks that it encountered from time to time also showed itself on the night of July 15, when the national will emerged in the strongest way. Thanks to the determined stance of our nation, the coup attempt ended in failure. That night, they wanted to carry out an attack against the will of our nation, our democracy and most importantly, our future. However, the determination displayed that day protected not only our democracy but also our future."
Stating that the stance taken under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a continuation of the determination shown in Çanakkale and during the War of Independence, Kibar said, "The night of July 15, which we commemorate once again with the theme of 'Our Will, Our Victory' today, is not only a victory, but also the turning point of an important legacy left to future generations. That night was a night won not by tanks but by faith, not by weapons but by courage, not by betrayal but by the will of the nation."
Rector Prof. pointed out that oppression continues in different parts of the world. Dr. Referring especially to what happened in Gaza, Rana Kibar said, "Today, we would like to express once again that we have always stood by this cause with the stance of this nation and this state, that we stand with the oppressed people and that we have taken a determined stance on international platforms to end this oppression."
Stating that the stance taken by Türkiye at the recently held NATO Summit was a source of pride for the nation, Kibar said, "We know that a nation is strong only to the extent that it protects its past and can keep its history alive in today's language. The power of states is measured not only by their economy or army, but also by their commitment to their past and their will to keep it alive. At the NATO Summit, the whole world once again saw the power of the Republic of Turkey, the will and determination of our nation, and the vision of our President. This table is extremely heartbreaking for all of us." "It made me proud," he said.
At the end of his speech, Rector Kibar emphasized that July 15 should not be forgotten and said, "The images we have just watched remind us once again that we should not forget that night. We do not forget, we will not forget. We commemorate with mercy and gratitude all our heroes who sacrificed their lives for this country, especially our July 15 martyrs, and I remember our veterans with gratitude and wish them a healthy and auspicious life. I warmly welcome you, who participated in our commemoration program and shared this national stance." "I greet you and thank you for your participation," he said.
Speaking at the "10th Anniversary Commemorative Conference" held within the scope of the program, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Dr. Lecturer Member Mehmet Ali Yüksel stated that July 15 was the strongest victory of the nation's will against coups.
Yüksel, who started his speech by commemorating the July 15 martyrs with mercy and the veterans with gratitude, stated that Turkish political history has a painful past shaped by coups and memorandums. Stating that the 1960 coup, the 12 March Memorandum, the 12 September 1980 coup, the 28 February process and the 27 April e-memorandum damaged the national will, Yüksel said that 15 July was the date when this dark tradition ended.
Stating that the structure that infiltrated the state on the night of July 15, 2016 targeted the will of the nation, Yüksel stated that upon the call of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, millions of citizens took to the squares and defended democracy. Emphasizing that millions of people, women and men, young and old, stood against the coup plotters with only the Turkish flag and love of the homeland, Yüksel said that the saying "The nation's independence will be saved by the nation's perseverance and determination" came to life once again on the night of July 15.
Stating that July 15 was not only the night when a coup attempt was prevented, Yüksel stated that the spirit of Çanakkale, the War of Independence and the spirit of Kuva-yi Milliye were revived and said, "July 15 is the last episode of the struggle for independence of the Turkish nation throughout history. Similar heroism to those exhibited in Çanakkale, Sakarya, Dumlupınar and Cyprus took place that night."
Stating that the nation stood up for democracy that night, not with a gun, but with the Turkish flag in its hands, Yüksel stated that Türkiye preserved its independence and freedom thanks to the sacrifices of 250 martyrs and 2 thousand 193 veterans. Emphasizing that the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans should never be forgotten, Yüksel said that it is everyone's common responsibility to protect their legacy.
Stating that although 10 years have passed since July 15, the meaning and importance of that night is understood better every day, Yüksel stated that it is clearer that Türkiye has overcome a great danger, considering the global and regional situations. Stating that the coup attempt aimed to weaken the power of the state and drag Türkiye into a dark process, Yüksel emphasized that this treacherous attempt was failed thanks to the determination of the nation and the acumen of the state.
At the end of his speech, Yüksel emphasized that universities have important responsibilities and said, "Our duty, as university members, is to raise our young people as individuals who can use their minds and wills freely, without being under the influence of any structure, who are loyal to their national and spiritual values, and who have developed democracy awareness. We must transfer the legacy left to us by our ancestors, who have lived in these lands for centuries, to future generations in the light of science. July 15 is a historical day in which the indivisible integrity of our homeland, the perseverance and determination of our nation, our national unity and solidarity are once again shown to the whole world." "May the spirit of July 15 always live on, may the unity and solidarity of our nation be eternal. May God never let this nation experience such betrayals again. Happy July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day."
The program ended with a musical concert presented by the faculty members of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, and a tour of the photography exhibition titled "July 15, the Rise of the National Will". - MANISA