THE Republic of Türkiye’s Embassy in Cairo recently marked the “July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day,” a resonant commemoration held at the embassy premises. This significant event brought together a diverse and distinguished gathering, including international ambassadors, prominent members of Egyptian society, senators, leading academics, journalists, business leaders, and the Turkish community in Egypt.

Under the poignant and unifying motto, “The Victory is Ours, The Will is Ours,” the ceremony began with a solemn moment of silence to honor the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice on July 15. The national anthems of Türkiye and Egypt followed, setting a respectful tone for the proceedings.

A profound and moving moment of spiritual reflection occurred when Dr. Ahmed Naina, a figure esteemed as a worthy successor to the legendary Sheikh Abdul Basit, beautifully recited the Holy Quran. His soulful recitation paid deep respect to the memory of the July 15 martyrs. Adding to the emotional depth, a compelling photography exhibition, curated by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, vividly portrayed the events of that historic night, illustrating the unwavering courage and resilience of the Turkish people.

In his address, Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen shared his deep personal joy in hosting Dr. Naina, stating that he finds continual spiritual inspiration in his Quranic recitations.

Reflecting on this important milestone, Ambassador Şen emphasized the enduring strength of the Turkish people’s will, which stood firmly against the forces of insurrection and coup. This will, he asserted, will continue to prevail in the ongoing struggle against entities associated with the “Fetullahist Terrorist Organization” (FETO). Ambassador Şen underscored that the events of July 15 were not merely a treacherous coup attempt but a brutal act of terrorism that aimed to violently overthrow Türkiye’s democratically elected government, the Presidency, and its foundational constitutional order.

Ambassador Şen stated firmly that the terrorist organization, responsible for the July 15 coup attempt and the tragic loss of 253 innocent Turkish citizens, will be held accountable. Every perpetrator will, sooner or later, face justice before both the Turkish legal system and the Turkish people.

“Turkish democracy unequivocally demonstrated its maturity and unwavering resolve on July 15, 2016,” Ambassador Şen declared. “The people did not surrender their will or their President to those with malicious intent. Instead, they bravely poured into the streets, standing resolutely against tanks and weapons, and selflessly sacrificed their lives for this sacred cause.”

He emphasized that through this collective sacrifice, the Republic of Türkiye definitively and conclusively crowned its existence with democracy.

Drawing a powerful analogy, Ambassador Şen pointed out that terrorism and chaos inevitably take root where the state is absent. On July 15, he explained, the very foundation of the Turkish state was under direct assault, and it was the courageous leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, along with the unyielding spirit of the Turkish people, that ensured its survival.

Furthermore, Ambassador Şen raised a vital point: it is a grave error to believe that FETO’s sole target is the Republic of Türkiye. He described FETO as a dangerous, multi-layered, organized criminal and terrorist group with a pervasive global network. Operating through clandestine cells with a religious facade unparalleled in modern history, FETO disguises its true agenda behind various fronts—sometimes as a civil society organization, sometimes as an educational institution, and other times as a religious group.

Ambassador Şen added that in its insidious and secretive attempts to infiltrate the core institutions of every nation where it operates, FETO has engaged in a wide array of illegal activities that directly threaten public order. These range from tax evasion and money laundering to passport and visa fraud, human trafficking, blackmail, and even targeted murder.

The organization relentlessly seeks influence across the globe, misusing principles like humanitarian aid, education, and commerce, and exploiting religious values for its own ends. Ambassador Şen confidently asserted that a thorough and diligent investigation by the authorities of any nation where FETO operates would quickly unearth these illegal and dangerous activities.

In this context, Ambassador Şen highlighted that the operations of entities linked to FETO in friendly and allied countries have been systematically thwarted. This success is a direct result of the strong and consistent international cooperation spearheaded by Türkiye.

Referring to the passing of the organization’s leader, Fetullah Gülen, in the United States on October 20, 2024, Ambassador Şen cautioned against complacency.

“This event must not and will not lead to any relaxation in our efforts,” he stressed. “Let there be absolutely no doubt that, as a state, we will continue our determined struggle until this dark organization is completely and totally eradicated.”

Ambassador Şen also placed the July 15 events within a historical context, noting that Türkiye has historically confronted and overcome several coup attempts—in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997, and the early 2000s. The 1960 coup, in particular, was marked by the tragic, unlawful execution of the beloved figure, Adnan Menderes, whose memory the Turkish people have never forgotten. This bitter historical lesson, Ambassador Şen explained, has profoundly shaped the Turkish people’s resolve to protect and support President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, acting as his unyielding shield.

“Democracy is a sacred blessing that is won through immense effort, through blood and sweat,” Ambassador Şen reflected poignantly. “Thanks to the invaluable gains we made on July 15, the will and victory of the people are now secure in strong and capable hands.” He added with firm conviction that no force, group, or entity in Türkiye will ever again dare to even dream of a coup.

Ambassador Şen reiterated that July 15 exposed the catastrophic magnitude of the threat FETO posed to the Turkish state. He emphasized that the ultimate credit for overcoming this existential threat belongs squarely with the brave Turkish people, who powerfully demonstrated that they recognize no power above their own will and are willing to sacrifice everything to defend their country and their democratic achievements.

From this profound understanding of democratic resilience, Ambassador Şen pivoted to the shared vision of development and regional cooperation that unites Türkiye and Egypt. He noted a strong common will between Türkiye, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Egypt, under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, based on a foundation of peace, security, and regional stability.

Both countries, he explained, place immense importance on fostering dialogue, consultation, and coordination at every possible level. This collaborative approach is essential for addressing the complex challenges and regional problems facing the Middle East and the Islamic world, thereby achieving lasting stability, broad cooperation, and a truly secure environment for the entire region.

Ambassador Şen also highlighted Egypt’s notable achievements under President el-Sisi, whose philosophy of “Strong Egypt, Strong Army” is exemplified by the recent inauguration of the “Octagon.” This monumental project, Ambassador Şen observed, underscores the Egyptian military’s steadfast commitment to regional and global peace and stability.

In a similar vein, he mentioned that Türkiye has established the “Ay Yıldız” (Crescent and Star) Defense Command Complex in Ankara, rooted in the parallel philosophy of “Strong Türkiye, Strong Army.” This significant project reflects the profound ambition of the Turkish Armed Forces to contribute significantly to fostering peace and security, both regionally and globally.

Ambassador Şen spoke with great warmth and conviction about the historical depth and deep roots shared by these two great nations, emphasizing that their relations and cooperation are continuously evolving and strengthening. The recent visit by Egypt’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, to Ankara and Istanbul concretely embodied this strong, shared will.

Furthermore, Ambassador Şen stated that cooperation agreements between the Turkish and Egyptian militaries—ranging from joint training exercises to the exchange of defense industry technologies—are making a vital contribution to regional stability and security.

Looking toward the future, Ambassador Şen expressed strong confidence that bilateral cooperation will continue to deepen and develop in the coming period, driven by concrete, practical steps across a wide spectrum of fields, including tourism, air and sea transport, education, and culture.