MARKING the 83rd anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing, Jale Özer Chair of Atatürk World Platform shared a message remembering his passing on October 10th.
Özer said: “Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was not one of the similar leaders. After he saved the Turkish homeland from the enemy invasion, he sheathed his sword. When the homeland was in danger of being disintegrated, this great Turkish war hero became the pioneer of world peace by putting into practice the principle of “peace at home, peace in the world” when he saved his homeland and ensured the independence of the nation. He did not make his people who believed in him and who were enthusiastically engaged in the path he showed, chasing new adventures. He never forgot that he was a child of the people, and therefore he always worked for the welfare and happiness of the people. He preferred not to elevate himself any higher, but to glorify his fellow citizens, among whom he lived and of which he was an individual. While he passed on to eternal life, he left a beautiful, solid, strong and eternal future to his nation.
“The first way to understand Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: It starts with examining and comprehending his thought system, the sources of the system, his perspective on problems and solving techniques, his personality, emotions, belief in his country and people. For this reason, November 10 should not be a day of mourning, but should be the day when Atatürk thought is understood and grown. While his mortal existence sleeps in the lap of Ankara, which he created, his cherished memory will live on in the hearts of the Turkish nation forever.”