Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) commenced the 2025–2026 Academic Year with an opening lecture titled “My First Lecture: Palestine” delivered by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, President of the Institute of Islamic Thought and former President of the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs.
The academic year’s opening program began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the OMU Atatürk Monument by protocol members. This was followed by a formal ceremony at the OMU Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, attended by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez; Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı; Samsun MP Mehmet Karaman; OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın; Samsun Metropolitan Mayor Halit Doğan; Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç; OMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer; Secretary General Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar, other protocol members, academics, and students.
The event was organized in line with the Council of Higher Education’s (YÖK) call to theme this year’s opening lectures around the Gaza and Palestine issue, and was jointly coordinated by the OMU Rectorate and the Faculty of Theology. The objective was to begin the academic year with a message of significance and to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause.
In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez emphasized that what is happening in Gaza is not just a regional issue, but a crisis of humanity:
“We are all now victims of this genocide—every person of conscience is a victim.”
He argued that the situation cannot simply be described as a war, stating:
“What’s happening in Gaza is not just a war. This is not just an Arab-Israeli conflict, not a Palestinian-Israeli or Jewish-Muslim issue. This is a humanitarian issue. A massive human tragedy is unfolding. Today, the victims of war are not only those who survive. Through mass media, this horror enters our homes, our hearts, our souls. It’s not only Gazans who see the bodies of children collected from hospital courtyards—our children see them too. The cries of mothers deprived of their children are not just heard by Gazan mothers, but by all mothers. Therefore, this issue cannot be addressed only as a Gaza or Palestine issue.”
He called upon young people to understand the deep historical roots of the conflict:
“These events didn’t begin on October 7, 2023—they are the continuation of a century-long history. It is crucial that this history is studied scientifically and incorporated into curricula. As our President often says, ‘The security of Gaza is the security of Anatolia.’ This is not just a slogan. Zionist ideologies have always targeted Anatolia, never excluding it from their vision.”
In his remarks, Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı celebrated the opening of the new academic year and praised OMU’s contributions:
“Since 1975, OMU has produced thousands of graduates who serve across Türkiye and around the world. OMU is not just a higher education institution—it’s a driving force in regional development and a cultural-academic locomotive for Samsun, the Black Sea, and Northern Anatolia.”
He also condemned the humanitarian crisis in Palestine:
“Since October 7, 2023, over 66,000 innocent people—mostly children—have been killed, and hundreds of thousands injured. Humanity must awaken. We also condemn the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla and remind everyone that supporting oppressed Palestinians is a moral obligation.”
“Under the leadership of our esteemed President, our nation and state will continue to stand by Gaza and Palestine with all available resources.”
He concluded by wishing the new academic year to be productive and successful for all OMU students and staff.
OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın began her address by reaffirming OMU’s mission:
“On this day, as we open a new academic year, we renew our determination for academic excellence, service to the nation, and commitment to the legacy of our Republic. Our goals are continuity in quality, depth in research, and excellence in education.”
Rector Aydın highlighted recent achievements:
“Join a student club, a research group, or a community service project. Merge knowledge with virtue. In the new academic year, we aim for excellence in quality, research, education, and social contribution. Together, we will elevate OMU to be one of the strongest universities of tomorrow.”
Prof. Dr. Aydın closed by stating that Türkiye is a beacon of hope for the oppressed, especially Palestine:
“This light will only grow stronger through the illumination of science.”
The opening ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts and a group photograph.
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