Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) published a message to commemorate great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on 72nd year of his demise. The message written by ATAA President Gunay Evinch and Trustee Chairman Kursad Dogru is as follows;
Dear Fellow Turkish Americans and Friends of Türkiye,
Today, we respectfully remember one of the greatest leaders this world has seen, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was born in Ottoman Salonika in 1881 and passed away in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1938 -- 72 years ago this morning.
After leading the Turkish people to independence from occupying forces following the Ottoman defeat in 1919, and establishing the Turkish Republic in 1923, Atatürk forged a cultural, social, political and economic revolution that catapulted the Turkish Republic and Turkish people into the community of global leaders.
Atatürk built the Turkish Republic on the solidarity of its diverse citizenry. He lead the Turkish citizenry to build a republic on universal principles: equality, liberty and justice for all; religious freedom based on western secularity; the pursuit of happiness through democracy and liberal economy; and a citizenry based on nationality, a common language, and global cooperation for the common good. As these universal principles are constants in dynamic motion, so shall be nations and the community of nations who defend and exalt them with loyalty and dynamism.
The Turkish experience is only starting, as the Republic's centennial of 2023 approaches us fast. Atatürk provided Turkey a living, breathing body of law and personal code of conduct to adapt to the times, and to thrive and succeed.
Atatürk's final wish was that the Turkish people practice responsible civic engagement for the betterment of themselves and the country, and for humanity and world peace; always to accept the guidance of fact and reason, compassion and common sense; and, always to carry themselves in confidence.
ATAA wishes you this special moment of meaningful reflection.
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