Dr. Sadık Ahmet commemorated at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Held under the title “Dr. Sadık Ahmet: The Life, Struggle and Legacy of a Leader,” the event brought together university rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci Bostancı, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Kürşat Göktürk, Işık Sadıkahmet, Dr. Sadık Ahmet’s wife and Honorary President of the DEB Party, and Dr. Murat Derin, a faculty member at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University.
The programme was also attended by academic and administrative staff and a large number of students.
BOSTANCI: “HIS STRUGGLE WAS ONE OF EXISTENCE, HONOUR AND DIGNITY”
Opening the event, Bostancı discussed the historical and social structure of the Balkans and the development of nationalism in the region.
Referring to the social transformations of 19th-century Thessaloniki and Skopje, Bostancı spoke about the changing relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim communities and the role of economic life in shaping social balances.
He also reflected on the population exchange period, describing the forced uprooting of people from their homes as a profound human tragedy. He said communities leaving the Balkans carried memories of the Ottoman period with them, while Turks arriving in Anatolia brought the memories of the Balkans with them.
Bostancı argued that nationalism developed different characteristics in the Balkans and in Türkiye, saying that nationalism in the Balkans sometimes took an exclusionary and antagonistic form.
Turning to Dr. Sadık Ahmet's political struggle, Bostancı described it as a “struggle for existence, honour and dignity,” saying that he resisted policies imposed by the Greek authorities that, in his view, denied social realities and defended the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
Bostancı added that Sadık Ahmet combined a conciliatory approach when necessary with a determined stance when circumstances required it.
Although Dr. Sadık Ahmet died in 1995, Bostancı said his commemoration in Ankara decades later demonstrated the continuing respect for his legacy.
SHORT FILM HIGHLIGHTS SADIK AHMET'S LIFE
Following the opening remarks, participants watched a short film documenting Dr. Sadık Ahmet's life and political struggle.
The programme then continued with a panel moderated by Prof. Dr. Enver Aydoğan.
IŞIK SADIKAHMET SHARES PERSONAL MEMORIES
Işık Sadıkahmet, Dr. Sadık Ahmet's wife and Honorary President of the DEB Party, discussed aspects of his life that she said were less well known to the wider public.
She spoke about their years together, their children and his role as a husband and father, describing him as someone who placed affection and respect at the centre of family life.
She also recalled the difficulties he faced during his education. According to Sadıkahmet, he came from a village and made significant sacrifices during his years at Ankara Medical Faculty and Thessaloniki Medical Faculty.
She described him as Western Thrace's first surgeon, the founder of the region's first Turkish political party and its first party leader, highlighting how his medical career eventually became intertwined with his social and political activism.
Sadıkahmet also discussed the historical and social circumstances that shaped his decision to enter politics, including what she described as pressure on the Turkish community and attempts to deny its identity.
PANEL DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL AWARENESS
Dr. Murat Derin focused on the importance of historical awareness in understanding Dr. Sadık Ahmet's struggle.
He said accurately understanding past events and transmitting them to future generations requires a strong awareness of history.
The programme concluded with plaques being presented to the speakers.
