Numerous events were held in Yunus Emre Institute's centers around the world to commemorate the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. In many countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa, Croatia, Iran, Canada, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia, the martyrs who lost their lives in the treacherous coup attempt on July 15, 2016, were commemorated, and important messages were given in the speeches about the importance of today.

COMMEMORATION EVENTS FOR JULY 15 IN TORONTO

Commemoration events were held in Canada for the anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) on July 15, 2016.

In addition to Consul General Sinem Mingan, Education Attaché Ali Kaban, Religious Services Attaché Cihan Yalçınkaya, Cultural Attaché Selçuk Erincik, Commercial Attaché Ahmet Karışman, Yunus Emre Institute's Canada Representative Bülent Uçpunar and managers of associations and foundations belonging to the Turkish society attended the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day event held at the Turkish Consulate General in Toronto.

Speaking at the ceremony that started with the National Anthem and a moment of silence for the martyrs, Turkey's Toronto Consul General Mingan said that the Turkish nation wrote a unique epic in history on the night of July 15.

Mingan said, "We must always keep in mind what happened on the night of July 15 and pass on the awareness of national unity to future generations."

The ceremony, which was held with the screening of videos describing the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, prepared by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, ended with the prayer of Toronto Religious Services Attaché Cihan Yalçınkaya for all martyrs.

Another event in Canada was held at the Mevlana Masjid in Toronto. Before the Friday prayer, the Quran was recited for the martyrs, and then Toronto Religious Services Attaché Cihan Yalçınkaya gave a sermon on how FETÖ used religious feelings and concepts in the period leading up to July 15.

After the sermon, Yalçınkaya prayed to all the martyrs who gave their lives for the country and the state, especially the July 15 martyrs and advised the community not to support FETÖ and groups like it.

An event was also held at the Montreal Yunus Mosque on the occasion of July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day.

Sencer Yöndem, Consul General of Turkey in Montreal, members of the Turkish community, and Muslims from different countries attended the event.

At the end of the event, halva was handed out to the participants, and its meaning in the Turkish tradition was explained in French to Muslims from different countries.

A ceremony was also held at the Turkish Consulate General in Vancouver. At the ceremony attended by members of the Turkish community and consulate staff, the Quran was recited, and prayers were made for the souls of the martyrs.

PHOTO EXHIBITION WITH THE THEME "JULY 15 DEMOCRACY AND NATIONAL UNITY DAY" OPENED IN ALBANIA

In the city of Shkodër in northern Albania, the opening of the exhibition featuring photographs taken by Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondents on the night of the July 15 coup attempt by FETO was held.

The exhibition is organized under the auspices of the Shkodër Yunus Emre Institute, with the support of the Turkish Embassy in Tirana, as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events.

Verzana Nikshiqi, finance and cultural issues coordinator of Shkodër Yunus Emre Institute, said in a statement to journalists that one could understand how a country can be protected from a coup from the photographs in the exhibition.

Nikshiqi said, "The exhibition includes 25 photographs taken by AA reporters. The photographs describe all the worries, heroism, and patriotism of the Turkish nation that night in the best way and manage to convey them to us very vividly."

In addition, the movie "15/07 Dawn" was screened in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy in Tirana and Tirana Yunus Emre Institute, on the occasion of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

JULY 15 PHOTO EXHIBITION AT TEHRAN YUNUS EMRE INSTITUTE 

Under the auspices of Turkey's Embassy in Tehran, a photography exhibition was opened at the Yunus Emre Institute Culture Center on the occasion of July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day.

Turkey's Ambassador to Tehran, Prof. Derya Örs, diplomatic representatives, Yunus Emre Institute staff and students, and representatives of Turkish institutions and organizations attended the photography exhibition held in Tehran Yunus Emre Cultural Center with the contribution of Anadolu Agency.

JULY 15 MARTYRS COMMEMORATED IN SOUTH AFRICA

A commemoration event for the martyrs of July 15 was held in Johannesburg, the Republic of South Africa, in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy in Pretoria, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Turkish Maarif Foundation, and Yunus Emre Institute.

Turkey's Ambassador to Pretoria, Ayşegül Kandaş, South African academic and human rights activist Prof. Dr.  Haroon Aziz, and South African Radio Islam presenter Süleyman Ravat took part as speakers in the panel titled "July 15 Victory of Democracy" held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, one of the most prestigious non-governmental organizations in the country.

Turkey's Ambassador to Doha Lütfi Çiçek and TRT World Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Erim also attended the panel as speakers online.

At the opening of the event, which attracted great interest from South Africans, the participants stood in silence for the martyrs of July 15 and accompanied the national anthems of Turkey and South Africa.

At the opening, Radio Islam Presenter Ravat recited the Quran for the martyrs of July 15.

JULY 15 MARTYRS COMMEMORATED IN KAZAKHSTAN

A commemoration event was held in Nur Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

Officials of Kazakhstan's state and military institutions, diplomats, representatives of Turkish institutions, and members of the press attended the event hosted by Turkey's Nur Sultan Ambassador Ufuk Ekici at the embassy building.

The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of July 15 and the national anthems of the two countries.

Ambassador Ekici, in his speech here, reminded that six years had passed since the treacherous coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) on July 15, 2016.

Recalling that 251 citizens were martyred that night, Ekici said, “The night of July 15, the FETÖ terrorist organization revealed the great threat posed to our state. The biggest share in eliminating this threat belongs to the Turkish people, who have shown that they do not recognize any power over their own will and that they are ready to give their lives to protect their state and democratic gains.”

Expressing that FETÖ was founded as a so-called religious movement in the late 1960s, Ekici said, “If the coup attempt had been successful, it would be a very different Turkey today. There would be no democracy, and fundamental rights and freedoms would be suspended indefinitely.”

Ekici stated that one of Turkey's main priorities in the past six years had been to fight FETÖ, both at home and abroad and said “In this context, it has started to be understood slowly, in the international arena that FETÖ, which can be described as a new generation terrorist organization, is not a social movement dealing with education and charity that tries to portray itself, but a dark and insidious organization with political and economic ambitions.’’

Pointing out that he was in contact with the Kazakh authorities to increase the fight against FETÖ, Ekici said, “Our expectation from the Kazakh authorities is to carry out an effective fight against FETÖ. At this point, our country is ready to provide all kinds of information and support to Kazakhstan.”

As part of the event, the Quran was recited in memory of the martyrs of July 15.

The event, which continued with the poetry reading of the trainees of the Yunus Emre Institute in Nur Sultan, ended with a film show prepared by TRT World and an exhibition consisting of photographs taken by Anadolu Agency on the night of July 15.

JULY 15 ACTIVITIES IN THE BALKAN COUNTRIES

Commemorative programs were held in the Balkan countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro on the occasion of "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day".
A panel was held in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.

The panel, hosted by Sarajevo Yunus Emre Institute, was attended by Turkey's Ambassador to Sarajevo Sadık Babür Girgin, Sarajevo Embassy Interior Counselor Mehmet Erdoğan, and Necmettin Erbakan University President Prof. Cem Zorlu.

Emphasizing that Turkey's strength is also important for brotherly countries, Girgin said, "The most important feature of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) is that it is a tool, it is insidious, it has no character, it can take any form, and it has no sacredness."

Erdoğan also underlined that the coup attempt carried out by the bloody terrorist organization went down as a black stain in the history of Turkish democracy.

In the panel, a short film about the experiences of Bosniaks in Turkey on July 15, 2016, was screened.

After the panel, the Kovaçi Cemetery in the capital was visited, and the martyrs were prayed for, and then a photography exhibition of AA's photographs was opened in the historical Bascarsija.

In the program held after the Friday prayer at the historical Gazi Hüsrev Bey Mosque in Sarajevo, Sarajevo Religious Services Counselor Yunus Keleş prayed for the martyrs of July 15.

While photographs of AA were exhibited in the largest shopping center in the capital, Union of International Democrats (UID) Bosnia and Herzegovina Representative Office said, "Stop FETÖ in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and "Are you aware of the danger of FETÖ?" and "July 15 Democracy Day" were reflected on the screens of shopping and business centers.

The Turkish flag was projected on the historical Vijecnica Library in Sarajevo, and a democracy watch was held with the participation of representatives of Turkish institutions and organizations.

Prayers were also prayed for the martyrs of July 15 at the Ferhat Pasha Mosque in Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and statements were made about the dangers of FETO after the Friday prayer.

Banjaluka Consul General Oğuz Kılıç stated that on July 15, 2016, FETÖ members attempted a coup d’etat and opened fire directly on their own people.

SPECIAL CONFERENCE FOR JULY 15 IN SERBIA

A conference on what happened on July 15 was held in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Ümit Öktem, Undersecretary of the Embassy, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nemanja Starovic, representatives of Turkish and local institutions attended the conference.

Starovic emphasized that the then prime minister and current President Aleksandar Vucic was among the European leaders who first supported Turkey in the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.
Also in Belgrade, on July 15, saplings were planted in memory of the martyrs, in cooperation with the Municipality of Cukarica and Belgrade Yunus Emre Institute.

At the event hosted by Zvezdica Kindergarten, Serbian children planted 24 saplings in the area to be named "July 15 Democracy Nursery" in memory of the martyrs.

In the Ras Museum Novi Pazar in Serbia's predominantly Muslim Sancak region, the opening of the "July 15, Victory of Democracy" exhibition, consisting of AA photographs, was held, and a football tournament was organized in memory of the martyrs of July 15.

Başar Başol, Consul General of Novi Pazar, said, "We have not forgotten the support given to us by the Serbian Government and our brothers from Sancak region during the coup attempt. I thank them for their support and wish God's mercy on our martyrs."

Prayers were prayed for the martyrs of July 15 in Novi Pazar, and the Turkish flag was projected on the fortress, to which the city’s name was given.

MEMORIAL PROGRAM IN CROATIA

A commemoration program was held on the occasion of July 15 at Zagreb Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center.
Speaking in the program, Turkey's Zagreb Embassy Undersecretary Ertan Yılmaz said, "This vile attempt was thwarted by the heroic Turkish people, who do not recognize any power over their own will, and who have shown that they are ready to give their lives to protect the state and democratic gains."

MARTYRS COMMEMORATED WITH HYMNS IN MONTENEGRO
 

In the city of Rozaje, Montenegro, the martyrs of July 15 were commemorated with hymns.
Turkey's Ambassador to Podgorica Songül Ozan, Rozaje Chief Imam Rejhan Hot, and officials of Turkish and local institutions attended the commemoration program held in the Muslim-majority city of Rozaje in Montenegro, and İbrahim Bilcevic sang hymns.

PHOTO EXHIBITION DESCRIBING JULY 15 COUP ATTEMPT OPENED IN PRIZREN

An exhibition of Anadolu Agency (AA) photographs from the night of the July 15 coup attempt of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization was opened in the city of Prizren, in the south of Kosovo, as part of the "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day" events. 

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey's Vice Consul in Prizren, İsmail Cenk Şen, stated that various activities were organized in Turkey's representative offices around the world in order not to forget the coup attempt and to raise awareness in the countries where the organization was active.

Explaining that the possibility of FETÖ's actions in Turkey to be carried out in other countries where it is active poses a serious security threat, Şen said, "The fight against FETÖ's structuring outside of Turkey has gained more importance. The terrorist organization continues its activities abroad under the guise and mask of so-called education, health, and NGOs.

THE THEATER GAME “JULY 15 AND HUMAN” WAS PREMIERED IN PRISTINA

On the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, the theater play “July 15 and Human” was premiered in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.

Turkey's Ambassador to Pristina Çağrı Sakar, Kosovo Regional Development Minister and Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) President Fikrim Damka, KDTP deputies Fidan Brina Jılta and Enis Kervan, Yunus Emre Institute's Kosovo Director Mehmet Ülker and many guests attended the screening organized by Prizren “Art Theater” theater on the stage of “AAB Faruk Begolli’’ with the support of Turkey's Embassy in Pristina and Yunus Emre Institute.

In his speech at the ceremony, Turkey's Ambassador to Pristina Sakar said that FETÖ posed a serious threat to all countries in which it existed.

Warning that FETÖ's actions in Turkey may be repeated in other countries, Sakar said, "We appreciate the sensitivity of our compatriots to what happened on the night of July 15. While our country continues its fight against FETÖ resolutely, as in previous years, I do not doubt that our fellow citizens will continue to inform our Kosovo friends about the true face of FETÖ and will continue to warn Kosovo so that it does not become a safe haven for these terrorists."

Regional Development Minister Damka also stated that as the Kosovo Turkish community, they would resolutely continue their fight against the FETÖ terrorist organization and said, "Our duty here is to take a determined stance against these separatists and furious people. As always, we stand by our main country and our state elders and offer our support to the struggle with all our strength."

After the theatrical performance, which lasted for approximately 1 hour, 251 balloons were released into the sky by the Orkide Women's Association in memory of the "July 15 Democracy Martyrs" and halva was served to the guests.

JULY 15 EVENT AND PHOTO EXHIBITION IN BUCHAREST

Romanian state officials and citizens attended the commemoration event, which was held under the auspices of the Embassy, with the support of Bucharest Yunus Emre Institute and hosted by the Maarif School.

Ambassador Füsun Aramaz noted that on July 15, 2016, the real face of the criminal network, which was placed in the state and institutions in a planned way, was revealed, and remarked that there was an example of civil resistance that is rare in contemporary state and social orders.

Aramaz indicated that FETÖ does not hesitate to openly resort to terrorism in order to achieve the goal of taking over the state completely by overthrowing the constitutional order.

After the speech, the students of the Maarif school recited poems describing the meaning and importance of the day.

Within the scope of the event, a photography exhibition consisting of photos taken by Anadolu Agency photojournalists on the night of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt was held.

PLANTING OF SAPLINGS EVENT IN CONSTANTA

In the city of Constanta, Romania, on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, with the support of Constanta Yunus Emre Institute, representatives of local authorities, citizens, and compatriots met at the Consulate General of Turkey residence; July 15 martyrs and veterans were commemorated with respect, mercy, and gratitude. .

In addition, the "Planting of Saplings in Memory of the Martyrs of July 15 Democracy" event was held in the new Muslim cemetery in Constanta, built with the support of TİKA.

JULY 15 EXHIBITION AT DAKAR

A commemoration event was held in the Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Dakar on the occasion of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. The program started with a moment of silence on behalf of our martyrs and the National Anthem and continued with the recitation of Quran and the speeches of Ambassador Ahmet Kavas.

In the speech of Ambassador Kavas, detailed information was given about the treacherous coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016. The indivisible integrity of our country was emphasized, and the inner side of FETÖ, which was responsible for the uprising, was explained. It was stated that our country has the perseverance and determination to work in unity and solidarity with its foreign representatives and citizens. The program also included the speeches of Turkish Graduate Businessman Momar Diouf and Former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Chad Representative Aminata Gueye.

On the occasion of the commemoration day, a photograph exhibition on July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day was held in the foyer of the Embassy by our Cultural Center. It was once again recalled that the treacherous coup attempt was prevented by the unmatched resistance of our citizens, with photographs selected from the archives of Anadolu Agency. 

The program included planting saplings in the embassy garden to commemorate July 15 and ended with lokma dessert and Ottoman sherbet.

JULY 15 INTERVIEW AND PHOTO EXHIBITION IN DOHA

As part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a commemoration program for the martyrs of July 15 was held under the auspices of Turkey’s Doha Embassy . On July 2, on the 6th  anniversary of July 15, 2016 Coup Attempt, an interview was held at Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center with the participation of relatives of martyrs, Turks residing in Qatar, and trainees of Doha Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center. Martyr Prof.  Dr.  İlhan Varank's brother Ayşe Arslantürk and Martyr Osman Yılmaz's wife Şule Yılmaz attended the event.

At the interview moderated by Turkey’s Ambassador to Doha, Dr.  Mehmet Mustafa Göksu, the relatives of the martyrs gave information about what happened on July 15. After the speeches of the relatives of the martyrs, the Ambassador and the program participants visited the July 15 photography exhibition held at the Institute.