Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey and Republic Day anniversary celebrations

The Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean, Prof. Dr. Metin Karadağ, made some statements in relation to 29th October Republic Day Anniversary of Turkey, explaining that with the establishment of the Republic, the people that were for centuries under the absolute sultanate and sharia provisions, went from being an umma to a nation, and with modernity, they went from being a servant to being individuals.

Prof. Dr. Karadağ reminded that the Ottoman Empire was ruled by absolute monarchy until 1876, and went on to say, "With the rapid collapse of the state, it was decided upon to apply the forms of government that were now a requirement of the times, which opened the door to the constitutional monarchy between 1876-1878 and 1908-1918."

Stating that the First World War brought the end of the Ottoman Empire, Karadağ noted that a handful of intellectuals, especially Mustafa Kemal Pasha, were making intense efforts to save the country and create a free country again.

Karadağ stated that Mustafa Kemal Pasha and the other intellectuals set out with the love of the country and the nation, and despite all difficulties of poverty and oppression, taking the Erzurum Congress dated 23rd July 1919 as one of the turning points of the movements, among the decisions taken he noted that the 3rd article stated, “it is essential to make the national forces effective and the national will dominant”, which was the official expression of the road that lead to the republic, declared on 29th October 1923.

Reminding that the Constitutional Law of the National Assembly was adopted on January 20th, 1921, Karadağ stated that after this date, the Republic was officially declared with the acceptance of the constitutional amendment proposal prepared by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

With the declaration of the republic, a modern and scientific order was introduced
Stating that with the proclamation of the Republic, the outdated and backward way of thinking and education system had been transformed into a modern and scientific system, and that a country that was drowning in the darkness of the Middle Ages had passed into a lush environment of light.

Underlining that the country had made progress in the time that passed under the leadership of science and reason, Karadağ also reminded that the processes that did not fit with the concept of the republic, and all kinds of interventions that were contrary to the principles and practices of the republic were experienced.

Stating that it is the primary duty of true patriots to protect the republic and its principles, which envisages a democratic system formed by competent and free individuals, Karadağ pointed out that in a society where freedom is abolished, development cannot be achieved in any field.