AGU Commemorates the 85th Anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Departure with a Ceremony

Abdullah Gül University (AGU) paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, on the 85th anniversary of his departure with a solemn ceremony, echoing similar events held across the country.

Academic and administrative staff, along with students, gathered in front of the administrative building on the Sümer Campus to participate in the commemoration ceremony. The program commenced with a nationwide two-minute silence at 09:05, accompanied by the National Anthem, and the Turkish flag was lowered to half-mast at AGU.

After these observances, Assist. Prof. Dr. Murat Karataş, who instructs Atatürk's Principles and History of the Turkish Revolution courses under the Common Courses Coordination Unit, delivered a speech titled 'Atatürk and the Legal Revolution' during the commemoration program.

Dr. Karataş highlighted that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk safeguarded the Republic and all his revolutionary achievements through the legal revolution. Drawing attention to Atatürk's unprecedented efforts for independence and freedom, Dr. Karataş stated:

“In the Ottoman state, there was multi-jurisdictionalism. What does “multi-legalism” mean? It is the situation in which different rules of law are applied to those living in the country as a result of religious criteria. In other words, Muslims were subjected to Sharia law, while non-Muslims were subjected to the legal system required by their own beliefs. So, what did this mean? No one was equal before the law. Everyone was subject to different rules of law, and this was a necessary consequence of the state being theocratic. This is when Mustafa Kemal comes along.

He fought for independence and freedom in a way unprecedented in history. He started by establishing a National Assembly based on national sovereignty. The establishment of the parliament means that sovereignty is now transferred to the nation. But the establishment of the parliament also means something else. It means that the theocratic state and legal system can no longer be maintained with a parliament based on national sovereignty, so the establishment of the parliament is the first step and harbinger of the legal revolution."

In addition to the ceremony at AGU, Rector Prof. Dr. Cengiz Yılmaz participated in the commemoration programs held at Cumhuriyet Square and the Alaeddin Keykubad I Hall. A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Atatürk Monument in Cumhuriyet Square, organized by the Kayseri Governorship. The Provincial Directorate of National Education hosted a commemoration ceremony at the Alaeddin Keykubad I Hall, featuring student performances (drama and shadow puppetry) and poems regarding Atatürk and his life, and an exhibition of Atatürk's photographs, paintings, and personal belongings.

Additionally, as for November 10, Atatürk's Remembrance Day and November 10, World Science Day for Peace and Development, a talk on "Commemorating Atatürk with Science" was organized for the students of Behice Yazgan Kız Anadolu Lisesi (High School) in line with the cooperation protocol signed between AGU and Kocasinan District Directorate of National Education. 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Hakan Tor, from the Faculty of Engineering, attended the event as a speaker and informed around 120 students about the geometry book written by Atatürk.