In the Presence of Martyrs and the Memory of Victory: Turkish Embassy in Cairo Commemorates the Epic of July 15
Ashraf AboArafe
On July 15, the Turkish Embassy in Cairo solemnly marked Democracy and National Unity Day, commemorating the heroic resistance of the Turkish people against the treacherous coup attempt in 2016.
The day began with a visit by embassy members to the Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery in Cairo, where a moment of silence was held in memory of the 4,500 Turkish soldiers who lost their lives on the Palestinian front during World War I, along with those martyred on July 15. Verses from the Holy Qur’an were recited, and Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen signed the memorial book in honor of the martyrs.
“The Name of Victory is Türkiye”
Under this year’s official slogan, the embassy hosted a commemorative ceremony attended by approximately 250 guests, including ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Azerbaijan, Albania, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iraq, Qatar, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Slovenia, Chile, Singapore, Venezuela, Vietnam, Tanzania, as well as the Head of Iran’s Interests Section, the chargé d’affaires of Syria, Egyptian public figures, prominent members of the Senate, academics, journalists, Turkish businesspeople, and citizens.
The ceremony began with the Turkish and Egyptian national anthems and a minute of silence for the martyrs of July 15, followed by a documentary film and photo exhibition prepared by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, capturing the night of resistance and national unity.
In his keynote speech, Ambassador Şen stated:
“Although nine years have passed since the treacherous coup attempt, its memory remains vivid. July 15 marked a decisive and irreversible shift in Turkey’s national destiny—handed over to a steel-willed nation determined to protect its democracy.”
He emphasized that the Turkish people refused to submit to the coup plotters and that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stood firm. Citizens took to the streets, stood in front of tanks, and sacrificed their lives to uphold democratic values.
A Turning Point in Turkish Democracy
Ambassador Şen highlighted the multiple coup attempts in Turkish history, such as those in 1960, 1971, 1980, and 1997, and recalled the execution of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes as a painful chapter that left a deep imprint on national memory.
He stressed that the Turkish people, drawing lessons from the past, protected their democratic will and rallied behind President Erdoğan in 2016, declaring that Turkey crowned its Republic with democracy through the resistance of its people.
“Democracy is a hard-earned blessing—won through blood, sacrifice, and struggle,” Şen remarked, affirming that the Turkish nation will never again allow any force to threaten its democratic foundations.
A Shared Future with Egypt
The ambassador also underlined the deepening partnership between Türkiye and Egypt, driven by the shared vision of Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He noted that bilateral trade has reached record levels, and Turkish companies in Egypt—such as Yeşim Textile and Hayat Kimya—have invested over $700 million, with major brands like Beko, Paşabahçe, BİM, Collins, DeFacto, and LC Waikiki actively operating across the country.
He highlighted promising opportunities for cooperation in tourism, aviation, maritime transport, education, and culture, and emphasized:
“The destiny and future of the Turkish and Egyptian peoples can only be shaped and strengthened by working, producing, and advancing together.”
Ambassador Şen concluded by asserting that Türkiye, under the leadership of President Erdoğan, remains committed to democracy, peace, and regional stability:
“With its strong democratic will and national unity, Türkiye is a global actor working to foster peace and prosperity across its region and beyond. And on July 15, we declare once more: The name of victory is Türkiye — and the people are its true heroes.”
