The closing ceremony of the 5th Youth Forum, organized by the Palestinian Students Association (FÖDERN), took place in Başakşehir, Istanbul with a large turnout
29 July 2025
The closing ceremony of the 5th Youth Forum, organized by the Palestinian Students Association (FÖDERN), took place in Başakşehir, Istanbul with a large turnout. As TÜRGEV, we proudly took part in this meaningful event. The speech delivered by our Chairwoman of the Board, Av. Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz, reaffirmed our deep sense of responsibility toward the Palestinian cause and our unwavering faith in youth.
In her speech, Chairwoman Av. Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz emphasized that the Palestinian resistance is not merely a regional issue, but a moral cause shared by all of humanity. Addressing the youth, she stated:
“The memory of Gaza is entrusted to the conscience of youth. I see this forum as a living part of the Palestinian memory, shaped by the moral integrity of young people. It gives me great hope and strength to witness our hearts, our memories, and our shared destiny converging on such a meaningful platform.”
Yılmaz described the Palestinian resistance as “the most honorable expression of what it means to be human” and underscored the unique weight and value of being witnesses to this time:
“We are witnesses to an era with heavy burdens and great responsibility. Alongside all oppressed lands, there is one place where our eyes, minds, and hearts remain every day: Palestine.”
She highlighted that being Palestinian means a struggle that begins in the womb, and that this resistance is not solely about conflict, but also about preserving hope, joy, and collective memory.
As TÜRGEV, we continue to stand firmly with Palestinian students. Our Chairwoman detailed the initiatives we have undertaken in support of their cause:
“We provide dormitory accommodation and scholarship support to our Palestinian students. Through our project 5N1KUDÜS, we empower young voices who seek to become storytellers of the Holy City of Al-Quds. With our recently launched ‘Gaza Literacy’ project, we aim to inscribe Gaza’s memory into the collective moral conscience of humanity.”
Sharing a memory from her youth when she participated in marches for Palestine, Yılmaz reflected on the spiritual place of Al-Quds in our hearts with the following words:
“Bi’r-Ruh Bi’d-Dem Nefdike Ya Aksa! When those words were spoken, the word ‘Aksa’ would flutter in our hearts like a bird.”
Throughout the program from the theatrical performance and musical recitations to the award ceremony and closing video the unwavering commitment of youth to the Palestinian cause was vividly reflected. The spiritual essence of the Holy City of Al-Quds was felt in every moment.
