President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the works of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, depicting unity, solidarity, independence and passion for the homeland continue to be among the important sources which maintain the national consciousness.
President Erdoğan issued a message on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of passing to eternity of national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy.
In his message, President Erdoğan said: “The late Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the poet of our Turkish National Anthem, which is the manifesto of our War of Independence and our declaration of national will, has an exceptional place in the hearts of our beloved nation.” Erdoğan noted the following:
“Mehmet Akif Ersoy, as a thinker, an intellectual and a man of letters, has contributed to the ignition of the fire of independence in Anatolia by travelling from city to city in the struggle for the independence and future of the Turkish nation.
His works, in which he depicts unity, solidarity, independence, and passion for the homeland, continue to be among our important sources which maintain the national consciousness.
The verses of our national poet “Without the entry of separatism, no enemy can enter a nation / As long as hearts beat together, no artillery can intimidate them” have become the most laconic expressions of how important it is to protect our unity, solidarity and fraternity.
We consider this legacy of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who embodied his commitment to national and spiritual values in the National Anthem and other valuable works, as one of our important duties to pass on to future generations and to keep his thoughts and ideals alive.
We will continue to work with all our strength to protect the will, belief and determination of our War of Independence which has been portrayed in our National Anthem at all times and conditions.
On this occasion, I would like to appreciate and congratulate the decision of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, where the national will is manifested, to declare the year 2021 as the “Year of the National Anthem” as it marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of our national anthem.
On the anniversary of his passing to eternity, I wish Allah’s mercy upon our National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy and commemorate him with respect and gratitude.”