The 105th anniversary of the adoption of the National Anthem by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the commemoration ceremony for national poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the author of the National Anthem, were held at the martyrs’ cemetery in Edirnekapı. In addition to Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, the provincial protocol and citizens also attended the ceremony. The ceremony started with the reading of the National Anthem. 30 hafiz children read a portion of the Holy Quran at the graveside.

THIS IS MAARİF’S GOAL

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin also attended the ‘Don’t be afraid!’ speech in Ankara. He participated in the program held at the MEB Council Hall with the theme “The Spirit of Youth is Here”. Minister Tekin said that the anthem is a text that calls on the nation to preserve hope with courage, determination and will. Drawing attention to the importance of raising generations with developed character, national consciousness and sense of responsibility through education, Tekin noted that the Turkish Century Education Model is the embodied expression of this goal.

IT IS THE MANIFESTO OF OUR INDEPENDENCE

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who attended the ceremony held at Ankara Sebilürreşad Culture and Art Center regarding the acceptance of the National Anthem, emphasized that the National Anthem is one of the works that most strongly express the Turkish nation’s will for independence, love of homeland and spirit of resistance. Murathan YILDIRIM/ANKARA

OUR ANTHEM IS A MASTERPIECE

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, who published a message to commemorate Mehmet Akif Ersoy, emphasized that “The National Anthem is a masterpiece that reflects the independence will and faith of our nation. ANKARA

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said, “We must be prepared for all kinds of scenarios. We do not say goodbye to any threat” regarding the process that started with the attacks of the USA and Israel on Iran. Speaking at the iftar held with the participation of the Central Executive Board, the Central Disciplinary Board and members of parliament, Bahçeli said, “As the military, political and economic burden of the US-Israel partnership increases, and especially as the domestic public opinion’s categorical objections to the Iran war rise, the danger accumulating around us will intensify. We must be prepared for all kinds of scenarios.” Bahçeli used the following statements: “Turkey is rapidly getting rid of the burdens on its shoulders. There is no hostile or aggressive focus that will block the path of the giant that has woken up and stood up and will interrupt its historical march, and it is not possible. The ceasefire regime should come into play when the road is close. Hands should unite with the aim of reconciliation instead of triggering. Otherwise, Iran may turn into a new Afghanistan, a new Iraq, or even a new Vietnam for the US-Israel partnership. Our Turkey and “It should be essential to approach intentions and ambitions that will put our beloved nation at risk, make it a target, and even lead to conflict with Iran and other countries in the region, in a dignified manner. We must be prepared for all kinds of scenarios. We should not say goodbye to any threat.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was deemed worthy of the Ataturk International Peace Prize. Guterres was presented with the award by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking at the ceremony held last night at Beştepe Nation Exhibition Hall, Erdoğan gave the following messages:

As Türkiye, we are carrying out intense diplomacy to prevent the Iran-centered spiral of violence, which risks dragging our region into a total disaster, from escalating further. We will continue to work patiently and determinedly despite those who want to break our hopes and dissuade us from our struggle. My secretary general, the stance he showed in Gaza, where one of the greatest atrocities of our time took place, will always be remembered with praise.

I am pleased to host Guterres, who has been serving as the UN Secretary General with impartiality and great foresight since 2017, in our country. Guterres made his first bilateral visit to Türkiye after assuming the position of Secretary General. During each of his visits, we witnessed his contributions to the protection of refugees, the implementation of projects to establish global justice, and shuttle diplomacy in the context of the war in Ukraine. I am pleased to present the Ataturk International Peace Prize to my friend, who is the voice of the silent majority for the establishment of international peace and security, on the occasion of his 6th visit. I find it meaningful that he comes to our country every year as part of his solidarity visit with Muslims on the occasion of Ramadan. I congratulate them for their numerous efforts to combat xenophobia, cultural racism and discrimination, which pose the greatest threat to the goal of peaceful coexistence.

We continue to keep the principle of ‘peace at home, peace in the world’, inherited from the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, at the center of our foreign policy by combining it with a proactive, enterprising and entrepreneurial approach. We have been one of the strongest supporters of the founding values ​​of the United Nations, which represents the common conscience of humanity, the will of global solidarity and hope for the future, for 80 years. We carry water to extinguish fire wherever there is, especially conflicts, wars, persecutions and humanitarian crises in our region. Wherever there is pain, drama, tragedy, we try to relieve it with all our strength.

Here I would like to give credit to my dear friend Guterres. He was a politician who emphasized peace, dialogue and prosperity before taking on this important duty, which he has been carrying out with great success for 9 years. As Prime Minister of Portugal, he contributed to the increase of prosperity in his country and won the appreciation of his people with his constructive and conciliatory style of politics. During his 10-year term as the United Nations High Commissioner, he made outstanding efforts to ensure that the displaced were treated and protected in accordance with human dignity.

In line with our vision of making Istanbul a UN headquarters, we are ready to implement our UN House project, which will bring the organization’s offices under the same roof. I think that this project will make a significant contribution to the Secretary-General’s UN 80 initiative at the national level. Every incident and crisis we experience confirms the validity of our statement that ‘The world is bigger than five’, which we first expressed 13 years ago. As a leader who believes that there will be no development, peace and stability in the world without justice, we will continue to support all initiatives aimed at transforming the UN into a more inclusive structure.

Secretary General, I believe that despite the smear campaigns against you and the organization you lead, your principled and devoted efforts to overcome humanitarian crises, especially in Gaza, and to establish international peace are perfectly compatible with the spirit, meaning and goals of this exceptional award. I salute the UN personnel who selflessly serve for peace under difficult conditions all over the world, and I respectfully remember the UN personnel who lost their lives. I hope that the Ataturk International Peace Prize we have presented to you will be beneficial for the UN and all humanity.

ZERO WASTE CONGRATULATIONS TO EMINE ERDOĞAN

President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan and Guterres toured the Gaza Youth Exhibition while Hope Resists Pain before the award ceremony. After the award ceremony, Guterres attended the iftar dinner with Erdoğan and Emine Erdoğan. Noting that he supports First Lady Erdoğan’s efforts within the scope of the Zero Waste initiative, Guterres reminded that COP31 will be held in Türkiye at the end of this year. Guterres said, “I have seen the steps taken by Türkiye with the Zero Waste initiative. In this sense, I would like to congratulate the lady.” First Lady Erdoğan also used the following statements in her social media post: “I hope that the Atatürk International Peace Prize presented to Mr. Guterres will increase the hopes for peace in our world as a symbol that strengthens the common conscience of humanity and expands dialogue and solidarity.”

The Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) reported that the claims in some statements and social media posts depicting THY as being financed by the public budget contain disinformation.

In the statement made on DMM’s NSosyal account, the following statements were made:

The claims made about Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier airline of our country, in some statements and social media posts contain disinformation.

THY is a public company that does not receive resources from the state budget, generates its income through its own activities, is traded on Borsa Istanbul and is subject to independent audit. It does not create any financial burden on the public and the general budget.

Nevertheless; Discourses and posts that portray THY as being financed by the public budget and target THY, one of Türkiye’s most powerful international brands, by juxtaposing unrelated items are disinformation.

“The public is kindly requested not to rely on such content, discourse and posts.”

The claims made about Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier airline of our country, in some statements and social media posts contain disinformation. THY does not receive resources from the state budget, generates its income through its own activities, and is traded on Borsa Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/Dxki4ZynZm

— Center for Combating Disinformation (@dmmiletisim) March 12, 2026

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan published a message on the occasion of the Adoption of the National Anthem and Mehmet Akif Ersoy Commemoration Day. In his post on his NSosyal account, Erdoğan said, “On the 105th anniversary of the adoption of our National Anthem, which we see as our text of national reconciliation, which is the most concise sign of our nation’s common values, common past and future vision, I remember with mercy the great thinker, intellectual and man of cause, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who gifted us this rare gift. As much as our independence.” “I commemorate with mercy and gratitude the honorable members of our Parliament who accepted our National Anthem, which is also the title deed of our future.”

“WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT UNTIL OUR LAST BREATH”

Praying for God’s mercy to all the martyrs and veterans who have watered the heavenly homeland with their holy blood for a thousand years, especially the War of Independence, President Erdoğan said, “As the President of Turkey, as the Chairman of the AK Party, and above all as a son of this beloved and noble nation, I declare once again today that we will protect our National Anthem and our independence until our last breath, and that we will use our chests as a shield when necessary to protect them.” he said.

On the 105th anniversary of the adoption of our National Anthem, which we see as our text of national reconciliation, which is the most concise sign of our nation’s common values, common past and future vision, the great thinker, intellectual and man of cause, Mehmet, who presented this rare gift to us… pic.twitter.com/8uvmeF2dsy

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) March 12, 2026

According to the written statement made by the Ministry of Justice, Gürlek received the President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Mustafa Gültepe and his accompanying delegation at the Ministry.

THE LOCOMOTIVE OF THE TURKISH ECONOMY

Stating that TİM is a locomotive for the Turkish economy, Gürlek pointed out that the contributions of TİM members to employment and production are extremely important.

“WE TAKEN THE NECESSARY STEPS”

Emphasizing that they are aware of the problems experienced by the business world and that they have taken the necessary steps to shorten the litigation process, Gürlek said:

“We have brought specialization in commercial courts, especially in commercial cases. A judge who has not completed 10 years of experience will not be the president of the commercial court. We have taken the necessary steps to gather the commercial courts under one roof. We do not want anyone to have problems in our country, especially in terms of exports and investments. If there are bureaucratic problems in this regard, we will reduce these problems as much as we can. As the judiciary, we are already working to speed up the processes.”