An event titled “Mehmet Akif Ersoy and the National Struggle” was organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Following a moment of silence and the National Anthem, Assist. Prof. Dr. Uygar Aydemir, Head of the History Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Necat Birinci from Istanbul University delivered their speeches.
“Everything Akif Said is Valid Today”
Birinci, drawing attention to the importance of the National Anthem, stated: “Everything Akif said is valid today. Turkey faces the same challenges. They are practically doing their best to revive Sèvres. But the dead do not rise, Sèvres is dead. However, if you are loyal to your homeland, magicians cannot create illusions.”
“Dear young people, when was the last time you felt like sinking into the ground? Have you ever felt it recently?
Speaking about the Armenian genocide allegations, Birinci said: “6 million Turks are dying, and the world remains silent. All this uproar for the Armenian issue is for 600,000 Armenians. Isn't it 600,000? 1 million 200 thousand Turks and Muslims also died. America says this, not me. Istanbul's squares are filled with Balkan immigrants. What does Akif say; 'Ah! Before me, a graveyard in the name of the homeland. It lies there now...How can one not sink into the ground?' Dear young people, when was the last time you felt like sinking into the ground? Have you ever felt it recently? Have you ever thought, 'I wish I could sink into the ground' out of shame, apprehension, sorrow, or worry? If not, then the future of this country is somewhat in danger.”
“Words in the National Anthem are Misused”
Birinci, referring to the misuse of words in the National Anthem, said: “...the beast with a single tooth left.' Some interpret this phrase in a gendered way. 'May it not separate me from my only homeland in the world' is often taken to mean 'from my sole homeland.' It is used in the sense of 'as long as it does not separate me from my homeland in the world, from my only homeland.'”
The event concluded with the presentation of a plaque by Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, to Prof. Dr. Necat Birinci.