23.09.2010 Kırşehir
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke at the 30th Akhism Week celebrations held at the Kırşehir Cacabey Square, stating that he is greatly honored to have been declared an honorary citizen of Kırşehir in 2014, “I am very happy to be in my hometown Kırşehir. I greet my fellow residents of Kırşehir with all due respect.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Akhis are the cement of society; Akhism, the
symbol of unity and the spirit of solidarity of Turkey.
Stating that TOBB is one of the institutions giving the biggest contribution
to the Akhi Evran Sepulcher, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is not our only
investment in Kırşehir. As TOBB, we also contributed to the science faculty of
our university in 2003. Now we are building a dormitory where 500 students can
live in Kırşehir. These services are our debt of gratitude. The homeland is first
and foremost for us! This is Akhism! Akhism is love for the homeland! An Akhi
is one who makes sure his neighbor does not go without.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the members of this great tradition never
thought of themselves as entrepreneurs, “We were in Edirne, in Samsun, in
Antakya with the victims of the various disasters. We have been home to
earthquake victims in Sakarya, Bingöl, Elazığ. We were at the forefront of
campaigns for the July 15th martyrs. This land is our honor! This
great nation is the most precious thing for us.”
- “Akhism, today and tomorrow
will continue to be the spiritual guard of Turkey”
For some nations, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out, the place they live on is
just a piece of land. He said, “Our land is Anatolia, not the name of this soil,
but the name of the spirit of this land. The Akhis founded by Akhi Evran is the
mortar of the Seljuks. Akhism is almost the essence of the Ottoman Empire, its
core. Akhism is the unshakable guard of the Republican era and our social structure.
Akhism, which dates back a thousand years, will continue to be the spiritual
guard of Turkey today.
This soul once again showed itself on July 15th. In the treacherous
coup attempt, the ones out on the streets first, those who resisted the coup
d'etat are today's Akhis. Our stance is clear! When it comes to our homeland,
nothing is more important!
The referendum issue in Northern Iraq is very disturbing to us. The
territorial integrity of Iraq is a sensitive matter for our nation and
government! We stand firmly behind our government as the Akhis of these lands!
It is not possible to solve the centuries-old problems of the region with small
political maneuvers! We support the decisions our National Assembly will make
today. I urge Northern Iraqi politicians to cease this pursuit. There is
nothing to be gained through conflict! There is no benefit to secessionism! Opportunism
will yield no results!”
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that Turkey is experiencing one of the
periods wherein unity and solidarity are most sorely needed, “We will stand
united, together and continue to work hard. The late Neşet Ertaş said: 'Whoever
works with love won’t tire.’ As today’s Akhis, we will continue to work with
love. I hope that the Akhism Week will be instrumental in for more good in the
world.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, then attended
the Neşet Ertaş Culture and Art Festival, organized at the Neşet Ertaş Culture
Center.