Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, on the 89th anniversary of his death, was commemorated at his grave in İstanbul.

The author of the İstiklal Marşı, national poet Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, was commemorated with mercy and gratitude on the 89th anniversary of his death at his grave in Edirnekapı Cemetery with a ceremony.

The commemoration program began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the İstiklal Marşı. Then prayers were made at the grave of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy. As part of the ceremony, a wreath was laid on the poet's grave by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar.

After the recitation of the İstiklal Marşı, Ömer Yiğit Akbaba, a student from Istanbul Anadolu İmam Hatip High School, performed a recitation of the Qur'an. The program continued with a prayer by Provincial Mufti Assoc. Dr. Emrullah Tuncay.

Sharing his feelings after the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar emphasized the importance of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy for the Turkish nation. Dalgar stated that Âkif's works and understanding of patriotism are kept alive in the hearts of young generations, and that as a university, they organized commemoration events for a week and concluded the program with this ceremony on December 27. Dalgar also mentioned that a commemoration program would be held at the Atatürk Cultural Center in the evening.

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy’s granddaughter, Selma Argon, also made emotional statements at the ceremony. Argon expressed great happiness in seeing that Âkif is not forgotten, and noted that the visits of young people to the grave deeply affected her. Argon emphasized that the İstiklal Marşı is not an ordinary national anthem, stating that it reflects the future and spirit of independence of the Turkish nation. Argon expressed the wish for peace to prevail in the world, noting that war has destructive consequences for humanity.

At the end of the program, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar presented Mehmet Âkif Ersoy’s work Safahat to the primary school students attending the ceremony.

The commemoration ceremony was attended by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, university administration, academicians, students, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, protocol members, and students from many schools.

The cherished memory of national poet Mehmet Âkif Ersoy was once again kept alive with this meaningful ceremony.