Message from President Erdoğan on the 'National Anthem'

In a post on his social media account, President Erdoğan stated, "On the 105th anniversary of the adoption of our National Anthem, which we view as our text of national consensus and the most eloquent symbol of our nation's shared values and common vision for the past and future, I remember with mercy the great thinker, intellectual, and man of cause Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who gifted us this rare treasure.

I also remember with mercy and gratitude the esteemed members of our Parliament who adopted our National Anthem, which is the title deed of our future as much as it is of our independence. I pray to Almighty Allah for mercy upon all our martyrs who have watered our heavenly homeland with their blessed blood for a thousand years, especially during our War of Independence, and upon all our veterans.

As the President of Turkey, as the Chairman of the AK Party, and above all, as a child of this dear and noble nation, I declare once again today that we will uphold our National Anthem and our independence until our last breath, and that we will shield them with our chests whenever necessary to protect them."