Merzifon residents living in Istanbul gathered at an iftar event hosted by the Tarhan Foundation and Üsküdar Üniversitesi. The event, where Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered the opening speech, saw a very high attendance. Tarhan stated that as Merzifon residents, they had not been able to gather for a long time due to the pandemic; “As a debt of gratitude to the lands that raised us, we wanted to meet with Merzifon residents living in Istanbul. However, due to the pandemic, we haven't been able to gather for a long time. We hope to continue these iftar gatherings next year as well.”
Merzifon residents living in various parts of Istanbul, including individuals from education, culture, art, business, and bureaucracy, gathered at the iftar program organized at Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Dentistry and Health Campus.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “As Tarhan Foundation, we want these kinds of events to continue”
Merzifon residents, coming together after a long time, experienced the joy of breaking their fast together.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, who delivered the opening speech of the iftar invitation, expressed his wish for these kinds of events to continue. Tarhan said; “We had wanted to bring together Merzifon residents in Istanbul for a long time. However, due to the gap created by the pandemic for a while, and then the hustle and bustle of the big city, we could not realize this. As Merzifon residents, we said we owe a debt to the lands that raised us. To repay that debt in some way, and as one of the spiritual benefits for our ancestors' souls to rest in peace, we wanted to hold an iftar during Ramadan. As the Tarhan Foundation, we held these kinds of gatherings from time to time, and we hope to continue them next year as well.”
“Merzifon is one of the best strongholds of Anatolian wisdom”
Tarhan, also making evaluations about the social, cultural, and historical importance of Merzifon, emphasized that Samsun, located at the intersection of Central Anatolia and the Black Sea region, possesses great cultural richness. Tarhan stated; “Merzifon is located where Central Anatolia and the Black Sea meet. The civilizations in that region have a historical accumulation. Merzifon has been one of the best strongholds of Anatolian wisdom. It is known as the second founding place of the Ottoman Empire. After Yıldırım Beyazıt, princely wars began in Merzifon. Mehmet Çelebi did not get involved in those wars at all and achieved the second founding of the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, Merzifon is known as the land of Medina. Next to our house in Merzifon, there was the tomb of Arap Dede. It was written in Arap Dede's inscription that Merzifon was referred to as the land of Medina. It is a land with such a great past.”
At the program, which was also attended by Member of Parliament Akif Gülle, guests broke their fast with the evening call to prayer recited by Maltepe Mosque Muezzin Necip Demirel, following the Holy Quran Recitation by former Imam Hatip of Beşiktaş Yahya Efendi Mosque, Yusuf Kenan Tophan. The program concluded with a prayer led by Istanbul Mufti Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş.