The opening of the 1st International Common History and Culture Symposium titled “ Yemen "Political Dynamics And Humanitarian Aid", prepared under the auspices of Mustafa Şentop, President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and with the partnership of Marmara University, Istanbul University and Kilis 7 Aralik University, was held on June 4, 2020.
Süreyya Sadi Bilgiç, Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, Rector of Marmara University; Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, Rector of Istanbul University and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Doğan Karacoşkun, Rector of Kilis 7 Aralik University, were present to make a speech in the opening of the symposium. Yemen Shura Council Member Prof. Dr. Hussein Al-Amri attended the opening via the video he sent for the symposium.
Invited to the stand to make the opening speech, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated the geography of Yemen is a reflection of the common culture that establishes a bond of heart with Anatolia and is built with this bond. He added that the symposium was organized with the mission of remembering and reinforcing this partnership dating back centuries. Emphasizing the importance of Yemen for Turkey and wanting to strengthen their relationship with it, Özvar continued his words by saying that the Yemeni lands witnessed one of the greatest humanitarian dramas of recent times and even became the object of this drama. Expressing regretfully that the political crisis has deepened and that the state apparatus is incapable of fulfilling its basic tasks, Özvar wished that Yemen would regain an environment of prosperity and tranquility as in the old days and said "We are ready to do our part”. Rector ended his speech by saying “As the partner of this important task, we will conduce towards an increase in the sensitivity and academic interest for Yemen in our country today.”
Süreyye Sadi Bilgiç, Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, stated in his opening speech that today we are faced with a globalized but increasingly unstable world picture, and Yemen is a place where serious humanitarian problems are experienced within this picture. Bilgiç told that he sincerely believes in the contribution of this symposium, which was organized to understand the changing political dynamics in the world and in Yemen, to produce ideas for a political solution, to re-establish stability in Yemen, and to discuss the content of aid that can be provided to meet the needs of our Muslim brothers and sisters living in Yemen. On this occasion, he conveyed his thanks to the academicians of Marmara University, Istanbul University, and Kilis 7 Aralik University. Bilgiç stated that the political conflicts, starvation, and epidemics in Yemen left the people with great grievances. He added that a sorry picture was encountered in the lack of successful results in the peace efforts carried out. Saying that “Turkey has stood on the side of international law and legitimacy during this crisis”, Bilgiç continued his words by saying the final solution is to establish a dialogue for an integrated policy that will cover the interests of the Yemeni people and all political solution efforts will be supported by Turkey.
On the first day of the symposium, valuable academicians of our university served as session chairmen. While the first session titled “Historical Dynamics in Yemen in the Last Period of the Ottoman Empire”, which was held on June 4, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Halil Kurt, Lecturer of Marmara University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the II. session titled “Social Structure and Law in Yemen in the Last Period of the Ottoman Empire” chaired by Prof. Dr. İsmail Taşpınar from Marmara University Faculty of Theology.
Academicians will continue their duties as session chairs and speakers during the program. In the 3rd session on “Yemen in the Modern Era” to be held on 5 June, Lecturer Dr. Serhan Afacan participating from Marmara University Insititute of the Middle East and Islamic Countries Studies will make a speech on "Yemen Policy of Iran". In the IV. session titled “Political Crisis-Regional Equations -Humanitarian Aid in Yemen”, Lecturer Dr. Muhammed Hüseyin Mercan from Marmara University Faculty of Political Sciences will deliver his speech on “Yemen Crisis and Political Actors”. The 5th session titled “Crisis in Yemen, Humanitarian Aid and the Context of Turkey” will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Hasan Korkut from Marmara University Faculty of Political Sciences.
Symposium program:
https://www.marmara.edu.tr/dosya/www/sm1883/Yemen-Sempozyum.pdf?_t=1622573958
