The Turkish Embassy in Doha recently observed the ’15 July Democracy and National Unity Day,’ honoring the 8th anniversary of the heinous coup attempt that occurred on July 15. The event brought together Turkish citizens, diplomats, Qatari nationals, and expatriates living in Qatar. Ambassador H E Dr. M. Mustafa Goksu and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Ali Cetin delivered speeches, with a message from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also being shared. Keynote speakers Kemal Ozturk and Prof. Dr. Kudret Bulbul discussed their experiences with the FETÖ-led coup attempt.
The event also featured the participation of Dilek Yaşar and Veysel Yaşar, parents of policewoman Seher Yaşar who was martyred during the coup attempt in 2016. An informative video and slide-show highlighting the events of July 15 were screened, along with an exhibition of photos by Anadolu Agency showcasing the night of the coup attempt. In addition to the commemoration ceremony, the Turkish Embassy organized various events, including a press briefing for Qatari media, a panel discussion on the coup attempt, and a panel on Arab media’s perspective.
Furthermore, a special commemoration ceremony was held at the Turkiye-Qatar Combined Joint Task Force Command, where images of President Erdogan and Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were displayed on symbolic Qatari buildings. The Turkish Embassy also hosted a brunch for Ambassadors of African countries in Qatar, fostering exchanges on combating FETÖ and its activities in the region. The events were part of efforts to remember the sacrifices made during the coup attempt and to strengthen solidarity among nations in the fight against terrorism.
The ’15 July Democracy and National Unity Day’ serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of defending democracy and unity against political upheavals such as coup attempts. The event in Doha brought together a diverse group of participants, including Turkish nationals, diplomats, and local and expatriate communities, who came together to pay tribute to the martyrs and express gratitude to those who have sacrificed for the nation. The speeches delivered by Ambassador Goksu and Col. Cetin, as well as the message from President Erdogan, underscored the significance of remembering the events of July 15 and standing against attempts to undermine the nation’s unity and stability.
The presence of key speakers such as Ozturk and Prof. Dr. Bulbul added depth to the commemoration ceremony, as they shared their personal experiences and insights on the coup attempt and its aftermath. The participation of the parents of the martyred policewoman, Seher Yaşar, served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of such tragic events. The screening of a video and slide-show provided a visual representation of the events of July 15, while the exhibition of photos by Anadolu Agency offered a glimpse into the harrowing night of the coup attempt.
In addition to the main commemoration ceremony, the Turkish Embassy organized a series of events to further educate and engage the public on the significance of July 15. These events included press briefings for the media, panel discussions with academics, journalists, and victims of the coup attempt, as well as panels focusing on the perspectives of Arab media on the events. The participation of various stakeholders, including journalists, TV presenters, and academics, highlighted the importance of understanding the coup attempt from multiple angles and perspectives.
The symbolic display of images of President Erdogan and Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Qatari buildings highlighted the strong ties between Turkey and Qatar in standing against threats to their democracies. The commemoration ceremony at the Turkiye-Qatar Combined Joint Task Force Command further emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in combating terrorism and defending shared values. The brunch hosted for Ambassadors of African countries provided a platform for exchanging information and experiences in the fight against terrorist organizations like FETÖ, showcasing the global solidarity in the fight against threats to democracy and national unity.
