"The Night in the Gallant Assembly" talk in Muğla conveyed the spirit of July 15

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ) hosted the talk titled "The Night in the Gallant Assembly" as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events, with Ankara University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünivar, who was present at the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the treacherous coup attempt on July 15, 2016, participating as a speaker.

Delivering the opening speech, MSKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Turhan Kaçar emphasized the importance of July 15 by saying:
"Professor Necdet, esteemed protocol members, valued academicians and administrative colleagues; welcome to the meeting we organized on the occasion of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. First of all, I thank our professor very much for not declining our invitation and being with us. I also thank you for your participation and hope our meeting will be beneficial."

Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünivar: "We were prepared to die if necessary"

Ankara University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünivar, who was a Member of Parliament for Adana and under bombardment at the TBMM during the treacherous coup attempt, shared his experiences of that historic night with the audience. Emphasizing that July 15 is an unforgettable milestone, Ünivar said in his speech:

"I pray for God's mercy on the martyrs who lost their lives in the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, 2016, and wish recovery and long, prosperous lives to our veterans. July 15 is a day, time, and moment that must never be forgotten. At that time, I was in the assembly as the Adana Member of Parliament. I stayed in the assembly, which was under bombs, from the evening until 8 a.m. the next morning. It was indeed a hard but very honorable day for me. We praise God for reaching the bright morning after a dark night. May God never show us those days again. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was awarded the title 'Gallant' for the second time after 1922 on July 15, 2016."

"One of the 10 most important events in the republic's history"

Referring to military interventions in Turkey’s recent history, Prof. Dr. Ünivar stated that July 15 was a turning point, continuing as follows:

"The July 15 coup attempt is one of the 10 most important events in the last 100 years of our republic's history. When we look at past coups; in 1960, a coup was executed with a radio announcement. The 12 March memorandum handed a note to the parliament, causing the government to resign. Then came the September 12, February 28, and later the April 27 e-memorandum. However, on April 27, the government said, 'I reject this memorandum and do not recognize any will above the people's will.' Had this stance not been taken that day, processes might have unfolded differently. On July 15, our nation and government demonstrated a collective will. That night, we left our homes, went to the assembly, stayed there, and were prepared to die if necessary."

Governor Dr. İdris Akbıyık: "Our nation did not salute the tank that turned its honor against itself"

Muğla Governor Dr. İdris Akbıyık, who spoke at the program, emphasized that FETÖ is a treacherous structure that exploited the people's beliefs and scientific feelings to infiltrate the state. He stated that he was on duty in Sakarya on the night of the coup attempt and that people showed a stance beyond political parties. Governor Akbıyık concluded his speech with the words:

"FETÖ is a treacherous group that infiltrated to the very capillaries of the state by exploiting the pure feelings of the nation. However, under the leadership of our President, our nation defended its will, independence, homeland, and state. That night, God removed fear from the hearts of the people. I saw people from all segments—regardless of their thoughts, ideas, beliefs, or party affiliations—in the squares. In the past, an atmosphere of hesitation against coups might have been attempted, but this time the nation did not believe and stood firmly against coups. With the spirit of the War of Independence, it upheld national will. This sacred nation did not salute the tank that turned its honor against itself that night. As Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said, 'If the matter is the homeland, the rest is just details,' and filled the squares at the cost of their lives. May God never let this nation experience another July 15." The talk ended with the presentation of a plaque of appreciation and flowers to Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünivar by the protocol members, followed by a photo session.

The talk was attended by Muğla Governor Dr. İdris Akbıyık, MSKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Turhan Kaçar, provincial protocol, academicians, and administrative staff.