MHP Chairman Bahçeli: Happy Conquest of Istanbul

MHP Leader Bahçeli released a message on the occasion of the "573rd Anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul." In his message, Bahçeli said, "We welcome the 573rd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul with the awareness of a sacred trust extending from the depths of history to the present, a cherished memory, and an eternal ideal founded upon honoring the entire world with Turkishness and bringing the good news of Islam. Istanbul, the beloved city rising on two continents and seven hills, is the capital of the Ottoman Empire in the memory of the Turkish nation, the seal of the will of conquest that closed one era and opened another, the brightest symbol of Turkish-Islamic civilization, and the most exceptional crown of our history."

Stating that the conquest of Istanbul, which took place on May 29, 1453, satisfied the longing of centuries and changed the course of ages, MHP Chairman Bahçeli said, "The mortar of the Turkish nation, mixed with faith, has been declared to the entire world. With the crumbling Byzantine walls, all obstacles deemed 'insurmountable,' all thresholds deemed 'uncrossable,' and all dogmas deemed 'impossible' have been demolished one by one. The Byzantine defense, fortified with iron chains at the mouth of the Golden Horn and Greek fire on the ramparts, faced one of the toughest tests in history before the Turkish army. But in the horizon of Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, there was no fear, no hesitation, no turning back. Because on that horizon was the honor of being worthy of the good news of our Prophet: 'Constantinople will surely be conquered; how excellent is the commander who conquers it, and how excellent is the army that conquers it.' That day, the great maneuver that broke the chain of the Golden Horn from Orthodox rule and moved ships from the bosom of the sea to the ridges of the hills became the seal struck by the 3,000-year-old Turkish military genius on the course of history, drawing its target from justice, its calculation from wisdom, its move from courage, and its mortar from faith."

Discussing the spiritual dimension of the conquest of Istanbul, Bahçeli said, "While an unchangeable decision rose in the tent, moderation in the camp, devotion in the ranks, takbirs on tongues, and oaths of conquest in hearts; the Byzantine defense was left helpless against the power of the Turk's faith, will, and intellect. The footsteps of an old era that had to bid farewell to the stage of history under Fatih's command were heard, and every waving of the crescent-adorned banner heralded the arrival of a new order. The prayer of the scholars with the Sultan's command, the surrender of the soldier with the skill of the artilleryman, and the fervor of faith with the calculation of the mind were united in the same sacred purpose."

Mentioning that the conquest of Istanbul was a historical move the Turkish nation made on its own behalf, Bahçeli noted the following:

"The conquest of Istanbul is a great historical move that blends the Turkish nation's power of holy war and jihad with the ethics of reconstruction, and the goal of victory with the order of justice. Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han entered Istanbul as a world sovereign who established order, protected the trust, looked after the subjects, and completed the honor of victory with mercy. The guarantee of life and freedom given to those who took refuge in Hagia Sophia, the prohibition of soldiers harming the public, and the revitalization of Istanbul through settlement, foundations, bazaars, schools, and complexes showed that the conquest was also an act of building a civilization. This is the truth that carries Fatih beyond the ages. On this blessed anniversary, I commemorate with mercy, gratitude, and respect the great sovereign Fatih Sultan Mehmed Han, who made Istanbul our homeland; his brave soldiers, Akşemseddin Hazretleri, Ulubatlı Hasan, and all the unsung heroes of the conquest. May their souls rest in peace and their places be in heaven. Happy Conquest of Istanbul."