The only leader of all time

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the unique leader of all time. Exactly 87 years have passed since his departure into eternity. He is such a leader that as time goes by, we feel even closer to him. The real reason for this inversely proportional operation of time and distance is the deep marks Atatürk left on humanity.

To be a leader, one must first be human and serve as a model for humanity with human qualities. Our leader was human first, human to his very core. He is a great leader who delicately wove humanity into all the works he created, especially the Republic.

Atatürk spoke of reason; he believed that humanity would find the most correct path through its own intellect. Indeed, he set an example by basing everything he did on reason. He was a well-educated soldier; while fighting on the front lines for his nation's independence, he was also reading the works of important thinkers to ensure that the country and state he would establish would be based on a foundation of sound reason and science. In fact, we know that he read all 6,000 books currently found in the Anıtkabir Library, taking notes on every single page. The secular and democratic Republic of Turkey was the result of this intellectual and active struggle of his.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the most visionary leader of the 20th century. While the world was awash in blood due to massacres by dictatorial regimes in Europe—the so-called "cradle of modern civilizations"—the agenda in Anatolia was focused on progress based on an understanding of education, science, modernity, democracy, freedom, and, in short, a human-centric approach. Women were granted the right to vote and be elected, schools were opened where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, could study together with equal opportunities, universities based on reason and science were established, press and broadcasting organizations such as the Anadolu Agency and TRT were built to make the country's voice heard by the whole world, the foundations of the country's industry were laid, and famous scientists and experts from various countries were invited to the country to support the process.

And imagine a leader who stands before a blackboard, teaching his people how to read and write. Imagine a leader who does not shy away from teaching his people even the most ordinary practices of daily life, from using cutlery to setting a dining table or dressing properly. Because he knew that it was not about shying away, but about erasing the traces of deprivation that went deep into time in order to empower the people.

Atatürk valued art. He was aware that art is one of the most important tools for activating human imagination and, consequently, creative power. For this reason, he led the way in establishing academies and opening art schools to provide fine arts education.

We see that adult education, which Western countries only began to discuss in the years after World War II, started quite effectively under Atatürk's leadership. Girls' vocational institutes, evening arts and crafts schools, and adult education courses in community centers (Halkevleri) were important structures in this sense. Because our leader knew that the liberation of the individual was only possible through work, knowing a craft/art, and production.

And he cared about the youth. Because he saw that the future would rise on the shoulders of the young. His only desire was for the Republic of Turkey he founded to move forward with strength into eternity. By saying, "My humble body will surely turn to dust one day, but the Republic of Turkey will live forever," he clearly demonstrated that he was the leader of all time.

Those who will keep the Republic of Turkey alive forever are the young people who will be raised with his principles, the understanding he established, the same perseverance and determination, the same humanistic perspective, and in the light of reason and science. He departs from us physically by entrusting the Republic to the youth with faith, determination, and hope through his Address to the Youth. But mentally, he is always among us.

We continue to move forward on the path he opened, toward the goal he showed, in the light of reason and science, without ever compromising on humanity and without losing hope.

I commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the only leader of all time, with longing and respect.