Our National Anthem is a value reflecting the spirit, history, and ideals of our nation

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Education Academic Staff, Assist. Prof. Dr. Hülya Yeşil, speaking within the scope of 12th March commemoration day of Mehmet Akif Ersoy and acceptance of the National Anthem, stated, “Every country has certain symbols which represents their independence and freedom. Like our flag, our Turkish National Anthem is a value ​​that reflects the spirit, history and ideals of our nation”.

Stating that the Turkish Grand National Assembly that was acting under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during the years of the national struggle  in an effort to ensure the independence and integrity of the country, was also working to provide morale to the army during the establishment of the new army, Yeşil also stated, “The idea to create a national anthem stemmed from the aim to keep the excitement in Anatolia protected and to keep the patriotism and belief alive”.

Reminding that with the contributions of the Ministry of Education a competition was organized, Assist. Prof. Dr. Yeşil elaborated “724 poems that were entered into the competition were examined. None of them however had the value of an anthem”.

Saying that Burdur Member of Parliament Mehmet Akif Ersoy did not participate in the contest due to being uncomfortable with the 500-lira prize money, Yeşil advised that Mehmet Akif Ersoy participated in the contest upon the request of the Minister of National Education Hamdullah Suphi Tanrıöver, without receiving any award.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Yeşil stated that as a result of a vote held within the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 2nd March 1921, Mehmet Akif's poem was accepted as the Turkish National Anthem and, she concluded, “The Turkish Grand National Assembly in 2021 stated 'This anthem that was written 100 years ago by the late poet Akif and dedicated to our heroic army, is the manifesto of the War of Independence, which still gives with the same enthusiasm and faith to all members. This year is accepted as the ‘National Anthem Year’”.