Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) hosted a panel titled "July 15: Its Legacy and Lessons" to mark the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day. Held at the Distance Education Center (UZEM) Conference Hall, the event focused on the place of the July 15 coup attempt in Türkiye's collective memory, the importance of strengthening democratic awareness, and the lessons to be passed on to future generations.

The program began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, followed by a recitation from the Qur'an by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kara.

The event was attended by OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, academic and administrative staff, and students.

The panel featured presentations by Prof. Dr. Faruk Sancar, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and faculty member in the Department of Basic Islamic Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Serkan Şen, Rector's Advisor and faculty member in the Department of Old Turkish Language within the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

"July 15 Was a Triumph of the National Will and Democracy"

In her opening remarks, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın described July 15 not only as the defeat of a treacherous organization but also as a historic turning point in which the Turkish nation determined its own future through courage and sacrifice.

"Today, we gather to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the July 15 Democracy Victory, a day when independence triumphed over oppression, light prevailed over darkness, and patriotism overcame betrayal. Ten years ago, our nation demonstrated one of the most honorable acts of resistance in its history against the FETÖ terrorist organization, which sought to undermine the existence of our state and the will of our people. Through the strong leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the determined stance of our citizens who filled the streets, the foundations of a brighter future were laid on that dark night."

Rector Aydın emphasized that the greatest responsibility today is to pass on the lessons learned from this experience to future generations. Reaffirming the principle "The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours," she stated that Türkiye would never compromise its independence or democracy and paid tribute to those who lost their lives and to the veterans of July 15.

"An Attack on Our Collective Will Is an Attack on Human Dignity"

Presenting a lecture titled "The Cultural Foundations of the National Will," Prof. Dr. Serkan Şen described culture as, in its simplest form, "the way nations interpret the world." He argued that human free will is the defining quality that elevates human beings and explained that the collective expression of this will constitutes the national will.

"Human dignity is manifested through free will. The collective expression of that will is what we call the national will. From this perspective, every attack on the national will must also be regarded as an unacceptable assault on human dignity and the honor of nations."

"Imperialist Sentiments Toward the Turkish Nation Have a Historical Memory"

Prof. Dr. Şen emphasized the importance of historical memory and the transmission of experience between generations.

He argued that, alongside the Turkish nation's historic victories, those defeated in these struggles have also preserved and updated their own historical narratives. According to Prof. Dr. Şen, Western imperial powers, recognizing that they could not defeat the Turkish nation on the battlefield, increasingly turned to methods of internal influence.

Referring to the Old Turkish word "kirdest," meaning someone engaged in a corrupt partnership or criminal collaboration, he described FETÖ as an instrument of imperialism operating within the country.

Prof. Dr. Faruk Sancar: "Religion, Power, and Responsibility: Reflections on July 15"

Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Dr. Faruk Sancar, began his presentation by commemorating those who lost their lives defending the country during the events of July 15.

In his lecture, titled "Religion, Power, and Responsibility: Reflections on July 15," he used the 1978 Jonestown tragedy in the United States as an example of how unquestioning obedience within religious movements can lead to devastating consequences.

He noted that 914 educated individuals, including engineers, physicians, and professors, died in the mass suicide orchestrated by cult leader Jim Jones. According to Prof. Dr. Sancar, FETÖ employed a similar model of charismatic authority and theological manipulation.

"The Qur'an consistently calls people toward God. Yet in organizations such as these, God is absent; instead, either the organization itself or its cult leader becomes the center. If a movement continuously places itself at the center of its own message, it should be approached with great caution."

Prof. Dr. Sancar also stressed the importance of sound religious education. He argued that restrictive secular policies and positivist approaches in previous decades created a social vacuum, leading some conservative families seeking both safe accommodation and religious education for their children to turn toward such organizations.

He stated that organizations like FETÖ gained influence by exploiting these sociological and economic conditions. For this reason, he emphasized that religious education is too important to be left to unregulated or informal groups. Highlighting the role of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), he described the institution as an important safeguard for society.

The July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the speakers, followed by a group photograph.