15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Ceremony was held

Within the scope of "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day" activities, a commemoration ceremony was held on 14 July 2023 at our university. The ceremony, which was held in Biruni Building Conference Hall, started with a minute of silence and the singing of our National Anthem in memory of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our 15 July Martyrs. Afterwards, a video presentation of the events that took place on the night of the treacherous coup attempt prepared by the Presidential Communications Directorate of the Republic of Turkey was shown.

The ceremony continued with the speech of Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Çelik on the meaning and importance of the day on the occasion of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Çelik started her speech by commemorating our martyrs and veterans who made history with their courage on the night of 15 July. Pointing out that Atatürk entrusted our homeland to young people, Çelik said, "Be sure to read Atatürk's Speech and keep it on your desk. There, it is so beautifully explained how we should stand upright against those who want to divide our homeland and nation...". Then the poem "Martyrs Don't Die" was performed and the whole conference hall was full of emotions.

 My son fought at the frontline by saying "I am younger, you are old"

Speaking at the ceremony, Muhteber Ayabak, the mother of our 15 July martyr Mahir Ayabak, said in tears: "My son left work that night without going home and went to the airport for jihad. He said, 'I am young, you are old' and walked at the frontlines for his country and homeland... At 2.30 a.m., I got the news. 'Mahir was shot,' they told me. He was shot in the foot. They told me not to tell his mother that Mahir drank the sherbet of martyrdom there. I couldn't believe it when I learnt. Yes, I am the mother of a martyr.  I am proud to be the mother of such a son. Praise be to God, I raised a son who loves his homeland. May God never give those traitors the chance again. May God never let us experience the 15th of July again." The speech of the martyr's mother touched all hearts and the participants in the hall listened to the speech in tears.

The ceremony ended with the participants visiting the "15 July Democracy and National Wisdom Day Photography Exhibition", which was exhibited in the Biruni exhibition area, about what happened on the night of 15 July.

We visited Edirnekapi 15 July Martyrs Memorial

After the ceremony, as Biruni University Health, Culture and Sports Directorate, we visited Edirnekapı 15 July Memorial on 14 July 2023 within the scope of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration activities. Biruni University Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Menderes ÜNAL, Faculty of Education Member Prof. Dr. Lütfü ILGAR, Health Culture and Sports Director Hakan Türker DULKADİROĞLU and many students attended the visit.

During our visit, we commemorated all our martyrs with gratitude and thanksgiving and prayed for our martyrs. Biruni University Faculty of Education Member Prof. Dr. Lütfü ILGAR, who accompanied our students, said: "Our martyrs and veterans made history on the night of 15 July with their courage, resilience and determined stand.

There is no doubt that our martyrs will always keep their honorable place in our hearts. From now on, every year, on 15 July Martyrs Commemoration, Democracy and National Unity Day, we will remember them wholeheartedly and pass on their memories to future generations."