The session titled "Courage and Kastamonu Days in Mehmet Âkif Ersoy," which is the IV. The session of the "4 Cities 4 Places 4 Âkif" Symposium, organized under the auspices of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, was held on April 30, 2026, hosted by Kastamonu University. 

The program was attended by Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Ankara Social Sciences University Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan, Project Coordinator Dr. Gazi Doğan, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, as well as representatives from public institutions and organizations, academics, and students. 

The program, which started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, was opened by Project Coordinator Dr. Gazi Doğan. Dr. Doğan expressed his pleasure at being in Kastamonu, one of the important cities of the Turkish War of Independence, and shared with the participants the development process of the "4 Cities 4 Places 4 Akif" project. Stating that the purpose of the project is to introduce Mehmet Âkif Ersoy to the younger generations and to remind them of his world of thot thru different cities, Dr. Doğan drew attention to the historical role that Kastamonu played in the National Struggle. 

After Dr. Doğan, Ankara Social Sciences University Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan stated that Mehmet Âkif not only strengthened the spirit of struggle during the National Struggle period but also the nation's spiritual resilience. Emphasizing that the spirit of the National Anthem should be understood correctly, Prof. Dr. Arıcan stated that the event was carried out with the support of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.

Recalling that Kastamonu holds a special place in Mehmet Âkif's life, Prof. Dr. Arıcan expressed the understanding of courage that shaped Âkif's character with the following words: "To say 'Do not be afraid' means to be able to say, as our Prophet (SAV) addressed Hz. Ömer, 'Allah is with us.'" It means not being afraid of hopelessness, loneliness, and taking ownership of the nation’s destiny. Mehmet Âkif's understanding of courage is shaped by faith and a sense of responsibility. "Mehmet Âkif's understanding of courage is shaped by faith and a sense of responsibility."

Emphasizing that Mehmet Âkif was not only a poet but also a thinker of civilization, Prof. Dr. Arıcan said that his intellectual legacy serves as an important guide for younger generations. 

Speaking at the program, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal emphasized that merely commemorating Mehmet Âkif is not enough; it is necessary to re-understand the morality, faith, and struggle he represented.

Our Rector stated that the National Anthem is not just a text but an expression of a stance that leaves deep marks in the nation's memory, and he said: 

"When examining Mehmet Âkif's works and sermons, it becomes clear that he did not merely aim to boost morale among his nation; he also sought to instill a sense of awareness, struggle, and responsibility. Âkif emphasized resistance rather than surrender, hope rather than despair, unity rather than disarray, and courage rather than fear in the face of the great crises that shook society." 

Our Rector, emphasizing the special place of Kastamonu in the life of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, stated that during the National Struggle period, Kastamonu was not only a geographical location but also one of the important centers where the spirit of ideas, beliefs, solidarity, and resistance was concentrated.  

Our rector concluded his words as follows: "At that time, it was not enough for the nation to fight only on the front." It was necessary to explain the meaning of the struggle to the people, to keep the idea of independence alive, and to sustain the feeling of unity. Mehmet Âkif took on an important responsibility at this point.” 

Kastamonu Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, in his speech, emphasized the city's critical role in the National Struggle, stating that the sermons delivered by Mehmet Âkif at the Nasrullah Mosque strengthened the morale and resilience of the people.

After the opening speeches, international students studying at our university's TÖMER commemorated Mehmet Âkif Ersoy by reciting the National Anthem stanza by stanza. The program continued with a music recital prepared by the Department of Musicology of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design. The works written by Mehmet Âkif Ersoy were presented for the participants' appreciation.

In the panel section of the event, a panel titled "Courage and Kastamonu Days in Mehmet Âkif Ersoy" was held. In the panel moderated by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, faculty members of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Onur Hasdedeoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeki Gürel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Dalar, and Assist.Prof.Dr.  Serap Denizmen participated with their presentations. 

Speaking at the opening of the panel, Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı emphasized the importance of accurately conveying Mehmet Âkif's world of thot to younger generations and stated that the weakening moral values in the digital age need to be remembered again. 

Taking the floor first at the panel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Dalar, in her presentation on Mehmet Âkif's understanding of courage, said that the poet's character, which centers on justice, faith, friendship, altruism, and scientific thinking, serves as an example for Turkish youth. 

Noting that Âkif traveled around Anatolia during the war years to boost the morale of the people, Dalar emphasized that he had an understanding that could even sacrifice his own child for the homeland. He stated that he went to Berlin and the Nejd deserts during the First World War and took on an active role in the field. 

Prof. Dr. Onur Hasdedeoğlu, in his presentation titled "Courage Against Ignorance: Examples from Safahat," stated that Mehmet Âkif advocated for work, determination, and effort against ignorance and inertia, emphasizing the importance of work and productivity in the salvation and progress of society.

Assist.Prof.Dr. Serap Denizmen stated that during the War of Independence, Mehmet Âkif had a significant impact on society through his effective communication, correct discourse, and powerful oratory. Emphasizing the need for Muslim unity, Assist.Prof.Dr.  Denizmen noted that the Turkish National Struggle was also significant to the Muslim world. 

The last speaker of the panel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeki Gürel stated that Mehmet Âkif Ersoy was one of the spiritual architects of the War of Independence, recalling that he was assigned to various parts of the country to boost the nation's morale during difficult times and that he gave sermons in mosques. 

After Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürel delivered a speech, and certificates of appreciation were presented to the academics, students, and participants who contributed to the event. The program concluded with a group photo session.