İmamoğlu speaks on the 571st anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) celebrated the 571st anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. The celebrations held at Maltepe Orhangazi City Park were attended by IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, as well as CHP Party Assembly members, members of parliament, district mayors, and thousands of citizens.

The events, which began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, were enlivened by the IMM Mehter Band, visual and light shows, and a stage performance reenacting the conquest of Istanbul.

Following the performances, IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu took the microphone and stated the following in summary: 

“HE DEFINED HIS GOAL AS CONQUERING HEARTS”

*World history is full of conquests. But the conquest of Istanbul is a very special conquest that changed the course of history, closing one era and opening a new one. Feel that the conquest of Istanbul is very special. Because it has another aspect. Because the conqueror of the conquest is very special. Fatih Sultan Mehmet, while setting out to conquer Istanbul at only 21 years of age, had defined his goals not as conquering lands, but as conquering hearts.

This is a big difference. A great statesman. And at the same time, in addition to being a military genius and keeping this feeling alive in his heart in the strongest way, he was a multi-faceted intellectual. He was very well educated. He knew the world. He knew the world in the situation of that day, in that era. His goal was not to make people bow down, but to provide a dignified life for everyone. Fatih Sultan Mehmet established a fair and tolerant administration in Istanbul that protected everyone's beliefs and traditions.

He did not allow any bigotry. He upheld the essence of Islam based on love and tolerance. He exalted our spiritual values. He added great strength and value to our civilization. He became an example to the Western world in the darkness of the Middle Ages.

He turned Istanbul, this ancient city, into a world capital where Eastern and Western cultures meet. Istanbul became a symbol of justice and tolerance even back then.

EMPHASIS ON FATİH SULTAN MEHMET AND ATATÜRK

Look; to protect this city, to protect the spirit of this city in every way, is to protect the values of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han, who opened a new era. Look; to protect this city is to protect the values of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who saved Istanbul from occupation and gifted it back to our nation.

Protecting Istanbul; is such a powerful feeling. What did Atatürk say? He said, ‘Istanbul is the summary of our history and civilization.’ Ancient Istanbul, the summary of our history and civilization. Do you know what that means? It does not belong to anyone or any group. Istanbul belongs to our 16 million fellow citizens, our 86 million citizens; it belongs to all of us. Istanbul belongs to those who love it, who show it care and respect.

Istanbul belongs to you. This is the city of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and you. Let us know this and feel it this way. Never forget this feeling. My fellow citizens, our dear nation, never ever forget that Fatih, who conquered hearts in Istanbul at 21 and opened a new era, and Mustafa Kemal, who set out at 38 to save this heavenly homeland from occupation and changed the course of history. And definitely get to know those personalities.

“THEY ARE A VERY VALUABLE GUIDE FOR YOU”

They are great not because they won the wars they entered; they are unique because they won the peace. They are important historical figures because they won the peace.

They are respected worldwide because they pursued brotherhood, tolerance, reason, and science, and because they valued being human.

Even if centuries pass, they will remain so. The young, strong, and brave spirits of Fatih and Atatürk are a very valuable guide and compass for today's youth, that is, for you. Dear youth; when they set out not to destroy but to build, not to divide but to unite, no one stood before them, and no one could. When you turn your direction not to the past, but to the future, no power will be able to stand before you.

“TRUST EACH OTHER”

Therefore, dear youth, you are at the age when Fatih conquered Istanbul and opened a new era. You, too, have everything to conquer hearts and the future just like him. I say it everywhere; dear youth, trust yourselves and each other more than anyone else. Never give up on trusting each other.

The unity and brotherhood of the youth, your tolerance for each other, your love and respect for each other, along with the walls of prejudice we have torn down between you, will be the strongest guarantee of our country and our world.

Happy 571st anniversary of the conquest of our Istanbul. On the journey of conquering hearts and the future, I wish each of you a healthy and beautiful life in Istanbul. I love you all very much.