The greatest power against imperialism: National Unity

As imperialist powers around us attempt to bring down independent states and turn them into colonies, we have seen that when peoples protect their national unity and fight against these degenerate gangs, they can render imperialist attacks ineffective even in the face of the most advanced missiles and weapons. We have seen this once again in the case of Iran.

It is a fact that our country has shown signs of fragmentation in terms of national unity for a long time. However, it is also a fact that in the face of the attack on Iran and the danger of imperial war, the political administration led by the President, with the awareness that war is a crime, has so far succeeded in keeping the Republic of Turkey out of the war with its peaceful policy. At the same time, it is trying to overcome the economic effects with the least possible damage.

If we briefly recall Atatürk's words on national unity and solidarity: "National unity and solidarity overcome everything except death" and "As long as a nation knows how to be tightly bound together, no power on earth can be imagined that could disperse it." One of the most important examples of national unity is the National War of Liberation we waged against the imperialists.

Atatürk says: "Whatever happens, for this or that reason, I am not in favor of dragging the nation into war. War must be necessary and vital. The true law is this: When taking the nation to war, I must not feel anguish in my conscience. We can enter a war by saying 'we will not die' against those who say 'we will kill.' However, unless the life of the nation is in danger, war is a crime."

Our country's national unity is achieved by the unification of all our people around a common identity, purpose, and values. Citizens must see themselves as part of the same country. Common history, culture, and language are the fundamental values that reinforce our sense of national unity.

It is of great importance that our state treats all its citizens equally and fairly. Discrimination, favoritism, and injustice are elements that weaken our national unity. The society's belief that the law applies to everyone increases trust in the state. Our people need to be made aware of civic consciousness, common values, and social responsibility.

Today, we must conduct a sincere self-criticism by considering economic disparities between regions, the need for balanced development, equality of opportunity, and freedom of expression.

Just as we can be united during earthquakes, we must be able to show the same spirit of unity in the face of war and major problems. Of course, there are events that damage our national unity. However, now is not the time to discuss them in depth; it is the time to protect national unity. We must not further divide society with rhetoric of political polarization and economic inequality.

We must stay away from fake news, propaganda, or rhetoric that creates hatred in society. If justice, economic balance, and social trust weaken, our national unity also weakens; this situation can sometimes lead to disintegration.

As citizens of this country, we must never forget the National War of Liberation, where we stood up against imperialism and won our independence. During that process, different segments of society acted together and created a strong national identity through a common struggle.

The leader and guide of this struggle is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Today, we are going through a period where we face similar tests. However, we have a strong state tradition, a historical background, and a great accumulation of experience.

In our country, there is a common history, language, and state tradition that form the strong foundations of national unity. Although political polarizations, economic differences, and social debates may sometimes seem like elements that damage this unity; just as we established the Republic of Turkey by waging the National War of Liberation in the past, we must fight by protecting our national unity more strongly during periods of crisis, war, or major disasters.

We are the children of peace. However, if there are those who want to disrupt our peaceful life, those who think of fighting us should not forget Çanakkale and our National War of Liberation.   

Prof. Dr. Duran BÜLBÜL