Uşak University Continues to Support the Palestinian Cause

Uşak University continues to organize events where important information about Palestine, Gaza and Jerusalem is shared. One of these events, the panel on 'Our Palestinian Cause and Jerusalem' was held on January 4, 2024 at Uşak University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress and Culture Center. Dr. İsmail Güneş, Uşak University Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş, provincial protocol, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academicians and students.

In the panel moderated by Uşak University Faculty of Islamic Sciences faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmet Gültekin, Kütahya Dumlupınar University Rector Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak and journalist Bülent Deniz, Al-Quds Mihmandar, made a speech on 'Our Palestinian Cause and Jerusalem' and answered questions.

After a moment of silence, the reading of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Holy Quran, Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş made an opening speech.

Rector Savaş: 'As Uşak University, we express our sensitivity on Palestine in every field.

Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş underlined that they once again condemned Israel's genocidal attacks on the Palestinian people for months and said, "Since October 7, when Israel's attacks started, we, as the University, have been expressing our sensitivity on Palestine and we continue to keep the issue on the agenda with both press statements and panels. There is no doubt that our strong support for the oppressed Palestinian people, with whom we have historical and cultural ties, will always continue.

War: 'We are against the oppressor'

Pointing out that if Gaza falls, the Islamic world will also fall, Prof. Dr. Savaş said, "Palestine, Gaza and Jerusalem are very important for us. We are against the oppression and we are with the Palestinian people and against the oppressor. What has been done is shameful. Westerners are dumb and blind. Their hearts are hard enough to prevent humanitarian aid going to Gaza. Bombs have been falling on people for months. They have turned Gaza into an open air prison. Our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is working to stop this atrocity and we call on the world to take action. We must be in unity and solidarity for humanity. Our civilization has never committed atrocities in any geography. On the contrary, we have brought humanity and mercy wherever we have been. I believe that 'from the river to the sea' Palestine will be free.

Rector Savaş: 'Standing with the Palestinian people in the face of Israel's attacks is a requirement of being human and having a conscience.

Addressing the young people, Rector Savaş said that standing by the Palestinian people in the face of Israel's attacks is a necessity of being human and having a conscience and said, "As Uşak University, we organize many events to draw attention to the persecution. What is told in these events will raise your awareness even more. Examine history well. Read and question. You see what technology has become in the hands of the oppressor. Learn technology well and use it for the good of humanity. Stand by the oppressed wherever there is an oppressor and oppose the oppressor. I believe that the information given by our esteemed speakers Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, Rector of Kütahya Dumlupınar University, and Bülent Deniz, General Coordinator of habervakti.com, Jerusalem Mihmandarı, will further increase awareness on the subject. I would like to thank them for their participation.

Uşak MP İsmail Güneş also made an opening speech and drew attention to the persecution in Gaza for months. Stating that the shame of the people dying in Palestine is on all humanity, Uşak MP Güneş stated that our country, especially our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stands by Palestine.

Panel moderator Uşak University Faculty of Islamic Sciences faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hikmet Gültekin stated that as Uşak University, they will continue to keep the cause of 'Palestine and Jerusalem' alive to stop the oppression.

Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak: 'Peace has been longed for in the region since 1917'

Speaking at the panel, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, Rector of Kütahya Dumlupınar University, made a presentation titled 'What is Palestine to Us? Explaining what Turks and Muslims have done in Palestine and Jerusalem throughout history, Kızıltoprak said that our ancestors ruled the region with peace and tranquility for about 7 centuries and pointed out that the name of peace has been longed for in the region since 1917.

Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kızıltoprak: 'Palestine is at the center of our geography of heart.

Prof. Dr. Kızıltoptak reminded the words of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the German Prime Minister: "We do not owe Israel. But those who are in debt cannot speak comfortably." Reminding his words, he said, "That is why our President said 'your hands are bloody'. Because the West has brought not peace but oppression to the region. They want to dismember the region. For peace, they should look to Hz. Ömer, Saladin Ayyubi and the Turks. The footprints of the great Turkish commanders Alparslan, Saladin Ayyubi, Yavuz Sultan Selim and Gazi Mustafa Kemal are in Palestine. Palestine is at the center of our heart geography. Throughout history, neither Turks nor Muslims have had a problem with Jews. Just as we protected the Jews expelled from Andalusia, we also protected the Jews fleeing from Hitler. We are always against oppression.

In his speech, Kızıltoprak said that what is happening in Palestine harms humanity, "We are Turks, we are Muslims, but above all we are human beings. Palestine, where more than 20 thousand people have died since October 7, will have peace. We need courageous leaders like our President for peace. Our state, which stood against 7 nations in the War of Independence, will say 'stop' to oppression here. No one with a conscience can remain silent against this oppression. I am sure they will win. I thank you for inviting me and for listening to me."

Bülent Deniz, who is known for his Jerusalem activities and studies, who worked as a volunteer guide and host in Jerusalem for many years, who was deported from the Palestinian territories by the Zionist regime in February 2017 and banned from entering for 10 years, discussed the Palestinian and Jerusalem cause in detail.

Bülent Deniz: 'Palestinians learned how to survive by digging tunnels from our grandfathers, the Turkish soldiers'

Explaining the developments from yesterday to today with a historical perspective and how Jerusalem was lost from our hands with historical examples, Deniz said in his speech: 'For 107 years, we have been silent about oppression. When the British were defeated at Gallipoli, they attacked Gaza and tried to take it. Under the conditions of that day, aid to the Turkish soldiers there decreased. Turkish soldiers dug tunnels to defeat the British. The Palestinians learned how to dig tunnels to survive from our grandfathers, the Turkish soldiers.

Emphasizing that we will not give up on Palestine and Jerusalem, Bülent Deniz drew attention to the importance of non-disaggregation and concluded his words as follows: "Today, we have to learn from all these bad examples in our geography by coming to our senses. Let's not come to perception bombs. May Allah Almighty bless the Gaza resistance. May He help us urgently and help our brothers and sisters. May He take revenge on the oppressors with our hands and extend the hand of peace to the oppressed with ours."

The panel ended with the presentation of plaques of appreciation to the panelists by Uşak MP İsmail Güneş and Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş after the questions were answered.

After the panel, donuts were distributed for those martyred in Gaza and all our martyrs.