Üsküdar Üniversitesi hosted a highly significant conference for Azerbaijan today. The “104th Anniversary Celebration Conference of the Republic of Azerbaijan” was attended by numerous guests, including Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka.
Following Prof. Dr. Tarhan's opening speech, Dr. Elvin Abdurahmanlı, Turkey General Coordinator of the Karabakh is Azerbaijan National Platform, extended his thanks to Üsküdar Üniversitesi for the conference. After the speech by Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Head of the Sociology Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, Head of the Medical Pathology Department, made notable statements regarding Azerbaijan's liberation from occupation. The last speaker, Researcher and Author Dr. Aygun Hesenoglu, emphasized a Turkic Union under Turkey's leadership.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “The Karabakh victory brought joy to the streets of Anatolia”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, who delivered the opening speech of the program, emphasized the 'one nation, two states' principle. Tarhan stated; “It is a great honor for us that Azerbaijan’s voice is heard at our university. We have always seen Azerbaijan as a sibling. The successful outcomes achieved in the Karabakh issue brought joy to the streets of Anatolia. Regional unions are very important in the world conjuncture. In this regard, we should keep our goals high and plan major meetings encompassing other Turkic states. If we can achieve regional unity, we can have a greater say in the world and oppose injustices. We must transfer the values that unite us, the values we inherited from our past, to future generations through cultural transmission. Cultural transmission is now being done through the digital world; we must not overlook this world.” Following his speech, Tarhan presented the 'Hisseden İnsan' (Feeling Human) plaque to Vasila Zeynalova, Head of Communications at the Azerbaijan Diaspora Ministry.
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı: “Turkey has always stood by Azerbaijan”
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı drew attention to Azerbaijan's struggle for independence, underlining that independence was achieved with great sacrifices and offering important advice to young people. Süleymanlı stated; “When I needed to give a presentation about the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic years ago, I couldn't find any sources of information. During the Soviet era, information about a great state was kept hidden. We saw in the example of Azerbaijan how a historical memory can be forgotten and a nation uprooted. After this period, we started a struggle and uncovered very important sources regarding our glorious past. Today we celebrate the 104th anniversary of this glorious Republic. This is very proud.”
Süleymanlı, emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity for other Turkic states, said; “The idea of a republic and independence was not built on an empty foundation. Many valuable ideologists emerged in literature, art, and military fields. The foundations of the Azerbaijani state were laid on the intellectual and philosophical ground they created. Turkey has always been with us and continues to be so today. Ensuring our territorial integrity is very important for both Azerbaijan and other Turkic states. I call out to the young people here: give importance to knowledge, technology, and human resources, and make new breakthroughs. Today, while we are holding this event, TEKNOFEST is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time outside of Turkey, and these projects are very valuable to us.”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek: “Today is a day of celebration against the ruthless Soviet regime and Armenian occupations”
Öztek, explaining the historical and geographical features of Azerbaijan, stated that people of Turkic origin have always lived in the region. Öztek, who conveyed that the state of Armenia was formed by dividing Azerbaijani lands, said; “The Azerbaijani people suffered great massacres. As a result of these atrocities, a million refugees emerged; what is this if not deportation? No power could stop Armenia. In our beautiful cities, full of historical artifacts, they turned mosques into pigsties. However, despite all obstacles, Azerbaijan developed its industry and army in the last 30 years. We are one nation, two states with the Republic of Turkey. The recent Karabakh attacks were strategically located on pipelines. With the liberation of Shusha from the enemy, Russia intervened. But Turkey and Azerbaijan fought together, becoming one body. Today is a true day of celebration. Today is a day of celebration against the ruthless Soviet regime and Armenian occupations. Today, there is a developing Azerbaijan.”
Dr. Aygün Hesenoğlu: “Our goal is a great Turkic union to be led by Turkey”
Hesenoğlu, emphasizing a great Turkic union under Turkey's leadership, underlined that Turkic nations could change the destiny of the world if united. Hesenoğlu stated; “The Ahi organization is very important in the Turkification of Anatolia and the existence of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a gateway between the Turkic world and Turkey. During Turkey's War of Independence, the people of Azerbaijan willingly sent whatever they had to their Turkic brothers. The saying 'Every Turk is an army' came true when Azerbaijan was liberated from occupation. Our intellectuals built Azerbaijan without any material power behind them. We faced great pressure even when uttering the name of Azerbaijan. Our goal is a great Turkic union to be led by Turkey. The victory in Karabakh showed that Turkic nations can change the destiny of the world.”
The event, organized within the scope of the 104th anniversary of the Republic of Azerbaijan, concluded with a group photo session.