Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek Emphasizes 'Terror-Free Türkiye' in Söğüt

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the Terror-Free Turkey process means securing the future and said, "Terror-free Turkey is not only a security issue, but also the goal of strengthening the brotherhood of our nation, securing our common future and removing obstacles to our country."

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek came to Söğüt district of Bilecik to participate in the Commemoration of Ertuğrul Gazi and Yörük Festival program, which was held for the 745th time this year. Minister Gürlek, who was welcomed by Bilecik Governor Faik Oktay Sözer and Grand Unity Party Chairman Mustafa Destici, attended the program held at the stadium.

Also in the programme, Chairman of the GNAT Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission and AK Party Bursa Deputy Mustafa Varank, GNAT Artificial Intelligence Research Commission Chairman and AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Fatih Dönmez, AK Party Bilecik Deputy Halil Eldemir, Bilecik Gendarmerie Training Commander Major General Nail İlbey, Söğüt District Governor Murat Yayabaşı, İYİ Party Deputy Chairman Yüksel Selçuk. Türkoğlu, Deva Party Deputy Chairman İdris Şahin, Bilecik Mayor Melek Mızrak Subaşı and Söğüt Mayor Ferhat Durgut were present.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the most important legacy left by Ertuğrul Gazi was not to lose direction even under the most difficult conditions, to protect the unity of the nation and to prioritize the right, and said: "Sheikh Edebali's advice 'Let the people live so that the state lives' is the essence of this understanding. The noble march that started in these lands centuries ago changed not only the fate of our nation but also the common history of humanity, and is one of the most important elements in the process of the West's emergence from the dark ages." has happened.

The will of Ertuğrul Gazi, the courage of Osman Gazi and the wisdom of Şeyh Edebali met in these lands, and the sacred hearth burned in Söğüt shaped the destiny of a nation. "May God never extinguish the burning furnaces of this nation," he said.

Minister Gürlek noted that the tradition kept alive in Bilecik is beyond a longing for the past and said, "It is a living memory that shows us who we are and with what values we will walk into the future. Our duty is to keep alive the spirit of justice, courage, brotherhood and independence that this heritage carries and pass it on to future generations."

In this respect, Bilecik is a great historical bridge built between the past and the future with its cherished memories. Turkmen tribes, who created the Anatolian spirit, meticulously embroidered the sacred Turkish history all over these lands.

Values ranging from the Akhism to the spirituality of the Turkish-Islamic geography, from the saints of Khorasan to our rich humanity, have enabled these lands to become the center of peace, brotherhood and, most importantly, tolerance. "In our civilization, justice is the conscience of the state, the security of the nation, and the basis of social peace," he said.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek pointed out that his biggest concern is young people and children. Minister Gürlek said, “As the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Turkey, my biggest concern is the variety of traps set for our youth and children and the economic cost and loss of time that fighting against them imposes on our country.

For this reason, I recommend that the necessary precautions be taken within the family, which is the first and most valuable growing environment for our youth and children, that family elders pay attention to this issue and have a more protected interaction with their children.

As the state, we are taking all precautions. However, families also have great responsibilities. Please do not neglect our youth and children. "Try harder to direct them to our national values," he said.

In the last part of his speech, Minister Gürlek also touched upon the Terror-Free Türkiye process and said:

"The goal of a Terror-free Türkiye, carried out under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is one of the strongest manifestations of this historical will to unity. A Terror-free Türkiye is not only a security issue.

It is also the goal of strengthening the brotherhood of our nation, securing our common future and removing obstacles to our country. As our national poet Mehmet Akif said, 'An enemy cannot enter a nation without division. 'As long as the ball hits, hearts cannot digest it.' This understanding of unity and brotherhood is not limited to the borders of our country.

The Turkish world, whose population exceeds 250 million, is an integral part of our common history, culture and bonds of love. However, our citizens of all origins, beliefs and cultures living in our country are a part of our lives. As 86 million citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, none of us are more valuable or less valuable than the other. “We are one and we are parts that make up a whole.”

BBP Chairman Mustafa Destici also described Söğüt district as the place where will turns into a great civilization. Expressing that the foundations of a just state understanding were laid in Söğüt, Destici said, “Söğüt may be the name of a small district on the map, but it has never been a small place in Turkish history. Because Söğüt is the place where a tribe turns into a state, land turns into a homeland, faith turns into will, and will turns into a great civilization. Not only a principality was established here. Here, the foundations of a state concept that would carry justice to three continents for centuries were laid. A vision of civilization that considered protecting the oppressed as the basis of power, loyalty to trust as the basis of sovereignty, and justice as the basis of the state sprouted here. That's why Söğüt is not just a beautiful memory of our past.

Söğüt is historical evidence of our nation's ability to establish a state and civilization. We didn't come here just to commemorate the past. We have come to remember the will that made us a nation and to carry that will to today and tomorrow. Visiting the tomb of Ertuğrul Gazi is not just showing respect to a historical elder.

It means understanding the trust it carries and re-realizing our responsibility towards that trust. Because history is not just the sum of events that can be boasted about. "History is also a duty, a responsibility, a trust," he said.

Folk dance teams from different cities of Turkey performed in the program. While the Turkish flag show of the Gendarmerie General Command Ceremony Company was watched with interest, the Gendarmerie General Command Mehter Corps also gave a concert.

The Steel Wings helicopter of the Gendarmerie General Command received great applause with its difficult maneuvers in the air. The commemoration program was completed with an official parade accompanied by the Gendarmerie General Command Band.

After the program, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek visited Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb with a Yörük keffiyeh around his neck. Minister Gürlek greeted the soldiers in Alpine uniform who greeted him at the entrance of the tomb and watched the changing of the guard ceremony of the soldiers there. Minister Gürlek prayed at the tomb and then left Söğüt district.