A commemoration program for 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day was held on Monday, 14 July, at the Dr. İbrahim Üzümcü Conference Hall, Göztepe Campus.
The program, which began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the National Anthem, continued with a recitation from the Qur'an by Muhammed Esed Can, a student from the Faculty of Theology. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, Rector of Marmara University, emphasized in his opening speech“15 July was not only a date on which a coup attempt was thwarted, but also a declaration of national will written with determination by the people. The night of 15 July 2016 is a declaration of national will, written decisively in the name of the independence and future of the Republic of Turkey. That night, our nation stood not only for our democracy but also for our freedom, independence, and shared future."
Prof. Dr. Kurt underlined that the 15 July coup attempt was a comprehensive siege plan executed by internal collaborators of forces disturbed by Turkey’s development, democratization, and especially its national advances in the defense industry."This plan was disrupted in its very early hours thanks to the foresight and prudence of our nation. This event showed that Turkey is no longer the old Turkey and that national will prevails above all," he said.
Continuing his speech, Prof. Dr. Kurt emphasized that universities are not merely institutions for producing knowledge but also for building social consciousness. "With our one-and-a-half-century academic legacy, we are acting with a vision to raise individuals who internalize democracy and the rule of law and uphold ethical responsibility. Our youth are the future of this country. We must work together not just to equip them with professions, but to raise them as virtuous individuals who know their history, are loyal to their values, and prioritize truth," he added.
Prof. Dr. Kurt also remarked that commemorating the anniversary of 15 July is not solely about remembering the past: "It is also a promise made to the innocent lost in Bosnia, to the silenced humanity in Gaza, and to the vanished identities in Arakan (Rakhine): we will not remain silent in the face of oppression. We respectfully and gratefully commemorate all our martyrs who gave their lives for this homeland, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all the heroes of the War of Independence, the anonymous defenders of our democracy, and the heroes of 15 July. We wish health, peace, and well-being to our veterans."
In the conference segment of the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Önal from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Marmara University gave a presentation titled “Coups from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic,” shedding light on Turkey’s coup history. Later, Retired Lieutenant General Dr. Uğur Tarçın, a lecturer at the Institute of Turkic Studies at Marmara University, gave a speech titled “The Development of the Turkish Defense Industry,” informing participants about the historical trajectory of Turkey’s defense advancements.
The event also featured a screening of the “15 July Documentary” and a “Tribute Concert for the Heroes of 15 July” performed by the Marmara University Turkish Music Ensemble. Additionally, the photo exhibition titled “15 July Through Photographs” attracted great interest from attendees, emphasizing the significance of the day.
