Kırıkkale University Signed a Cooperation Protocol with Tuzla University in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Bilateral Cooperation Protocol was signed, and Srebrenica Genocide Commemoration Program was held between Kırıkkale University and Tuzla University in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, Rector of Tuzla University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mehmet Ali Durmuş, Brigadier General, Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, İsmail Sezgin, Head of the Justice Commission, Ömer Şahin, Head of the Tax Court, Prof. Dr. Erol Yılmaz, Vice Rector, Şevket Evci, Secretary General, Enes Turbic, faculty member at Trakya University Balkan Studies Institute, our senate members, academic and administrative staff attended the program.

The program began with the singing of the National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina and our National Anthem. It continued with the song "A Bosnian Elegy".

"We need to be strong so that this doesn't happen again"

The program began with the opening speech of Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan. Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan said “Dear guests, I greet you with respect. We hold our Senate Meeting here in the commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide. I hope this pain is never experienced again. American historian Justin McCarthy states that 5.5 million people were massacred in the lands of Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1922. The reason for this was that they were Muslims and Muslim Turks. The people with the similar mind are oppressing the people of Gaza and the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar today. Those who did not speak out about what was happening in Palestine gave the Nobel Peace Prize to the President of Myanmar. They tried to do the same manner to us during the War of Independence and on July 15th. We need to be strong so that this does not happen again. We will work and become stronger.”

Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić said “I greet you all with respect. I am very happy to be here on behalf of Tuzla University in Bosnia and Herzegovina and myself. As a person who lost relatives in the genocide between 1992-1995, it is very difficult to talk about this subject. I was 30 years old at the time and had to move away from my home. We are here to not forget the genocide and not to let it be forgotten. I would like to thank the Turkish nation who stood by us during and after this process.”

"We Are Not Just Friends with the Turks, We Are Brothers and Sisters"

Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić said “Having similar departments at Kırıkkale University and Tuzla University is a great opportunity for cooperation. Our university also has a Turcology Department. I would like to thank Yunus Emre Institute for their support of this department. I believe that we will take a step towards a great cooperation here today. We, Bosnians are not just friends with Turks, we are brothers and sisters. I have travelled all over Türkiye from Edirne to Iğdır. I have witnessed the hospitality, sincerity and warmth of the Turkish people. Thank you for always being by our side. We always would like to host you. Our hearts and our university are open to you.”

After the speeches, the bilateral cooperation protocol was signed between our University and Tuzla University.

The program continued with the presentation of Assist. Prof. Enes Turbic from Balkan Studies Institute at Trakya University on “The Greatest Tragedy in Europe After World War II: Srebrenica and the Eastern Bosnia Genocide (1995)”.

Assist. Prof. Enes Turbic said “I greet you all with respect. Our topic is Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian War that took place between 1992-1995. One of the greatest tragedies that took place in Europe after World War II is the Srebrenica and Eastern Bosnia Genocide.

A Genocide Committed With the Saying “It is Time to Take Revenge on the Turks in These Lands”

Assist. Prof. Enes Turbic stated “The attack lasted 1452 days from April 5, 1992 to February 29, 1996. More than 10.000 Sarajevo residents, including 1600 children, were killed. This wasn't just an attack. It was an effort to destroy a nation. The Sarajevo Library is a library built during the Austro-Hungarian period. There were 2 million documents in this library, including the Ottoman period. The Bosnian Serb Army burned library in 1992 and destroyed all the documents. This year, on May 23, the United Nations declared July 11 as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day and condemned the war criminals in the Srebrenica Genocide. Türkiye, a friendly and brotherly country, supported this decision and stood by the Bosnians. As a Bosnian, I would like to thank the Turkish nation and the Republic of Türkiye.”

Ömer Şahin, Head of the Tax Court stated “I am very pleased to see the children and friends of Alija Izetbegovic, known as the “Wise King” in Kırıkkale.”

Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan thanked to Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić and presented a tile painting featuring the Çeşnigir Bridge, one of the symbols of Kırıkkale.

The program ended with a group photo.