Promotional Program Held for the Book "A Wise Person, a Universal Perspective: Fethi Gemuhluoğlu"

Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Coşkun Yılmaz, and numerous guests attended the event. The opening speeches of the program were delivered by YTB President Turus and Istanbul Governor Gül. Following the opening, a panel moderated by the President of the Writers Union of Türkiye (TYB) Istanbul Branch Mahmut Bıyıklı took place, featuring the translator of the book Prof. Dr. Nurullah Koltaş and former Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Nabi Avcı as speakers.

​In his speech, YTB President Turus drew attention to Fethi Gemuhluoğlu's work directed at youth and his interest in the international arena. Turus expressed that there is a similarity between Gemuhluoğlu's activities and the work YTB conducts today.

​Stating that Gemuhluoğlu provided scholarship support to young people in the 1970s, Turus said that YTB's work toward international students is not limited to scholarship opportunities alone.

​Turus reported that every year they grant scholarships to 5,000 students coming to Türkiye from 164 different countries across the world, stating that they also strive to share Türkiye’s understanding of civilization and tolerance with these students.

​Expressing that they attempt to convey the maxim "Believers are brothers" to the students, Turus emphasized that Fethi Gemuhluoğlu acted with a similar understanding, remarking, "Brother Fethi did this as well."

​In his speech, Governor Gül thanked everyone who contributed to the preparation of the program, stating that Fethi Gemuhluoğlu is an important figure whom the new generation should know and learn about.

​Stating that Gemuhluoğlu acted with a human-centered approach and gained numerous friends as a result of this approach, Gül said that the greatest wealth a person can possess is to have good words spoken after them and to be commemorated with benevolence.

​Gül remarked, "The greatest wealth is for people to speak well behind your back and remember you with blessings. We bear witness that the deceased lived a rich life; may his place be in paradise."

​A Human-Centered Approach Beyond Borders

​Koltaş stated that Gemuhluoğlu's foreign policy approach should not be evaluated merely within the framework of interstate relations. Expressing that this approach can also be defined as a "politics of responsibility," Koltaş said that Gemuhluoğlu's interest in the independence movements in Africa was not limited solely to Muslim societies.

​Emphasizing that Gemuhluoğlu stood by oppressed peoples in the international atmosphere shaped after World War II and acted with the understanding that "Oppression has no East or West," Koltaş described his worldview with the following words:

​"When we look at a map from Brother Fethi's perspective, it prompts us to see humanity rather than political borders. It prompts us to see peoples rather than seeing the locations of states."

​Avcı, on the other hand, drew attention to Gemuhluoğlu's ability to bring together people of different views, dispositions, and temperaments under the same roof. Touchingly referring to the strong friendships Gemuhluoğlu established with the people around him, Avcı said, "I saw what wonderful friendships he built with people of such different dispositions and temperaments, and how those different people warmed to one another around him."

​Expressing that explaining Gemuhluoğlu's life and personality is not easy, Avcı stated that everyone who knew him presents a different portrait of Gemuhluoğlu from their own perspective.

​In his speech, Bıyıklı reminded the audience that the anniversary of Gemuhluoğlu's passing is tomorrow, commemorating him with mercy.

​Stating that Gemuhluoğlu was one of the important intellectuals who embraced the idea of reviving Anatolian and Turkish-Islamic civilization, Bıyıklı said that the scholarships he provided were not merely financial support. He conveyed that these supports also aimed for young people to read books, learn foreign languages, and develop themselves.

​Emphasizing that Gemuhluoğlu was a visionary figure, Bıyıklı noted that he drew attention to the "awakening Africa" during a period when Africa was not yet sufficiently discussed in Türkiye.