As part of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, the theme of which was determined this year as "The Name of Victory: Türkiye", various events were held in our province. On July 15, 2025, visits were paid to the graves of martyrs, July 15 veterans, and families of veterans throughout the day. As part of the program, a Qur’an recitation and Mawlid al-Sharif ceremony were held for the martyrs, and a themed photography and painting exhibition titled "The Name of Victory: Türkiye" was visited. Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, also attended the National Unity and Democracy March, during which various activities were carried out at Cacabey Square.

As part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events, a panel was organized in cooperation between the Kırşehir Governorship and KAEU. Held on July 16, 2025, at the Neşet Ertaş Hall of the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, the panel titled “Religious Exploitation in the Process Leading to July 15” was attended by Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Kırşehir Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, Deputy Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Lt. Col. Cihan Sanlı, Provincial Police Chief Erdoğan Kartal, Kırşehir Police Vocational School Director Erdem Eylenen, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Secretary General Dr. Hüseyin İlter, heads of public institutions in our province, deans, directors, academic and administrative staff, and students.

The program began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by the screening of a July 15 documentary and a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Osman Aslan, the imam of KAEU Campus Mosque. Afterwards, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil delivered the opening speech. In his speech, Rector Karahocagil explained the significance of July 15, stating: “July 15 is the name of an epic resistance that thwarted a treacherous coup attempt targeting our independence and future, through the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the determination and courage of our noble nation.” Prof. Dr. Karahocagil emphasized that during the coup attempt, millions of citizens—men and women, young and old—took to the streets, showing the entire world what a nation forged in faith is capable of when it comes to defending its homeland. He continued: “Throughout history, various groups have tried to manipulate the masses by exploiting the principles and sanctities of religion, thus distorting the truth. The night of July 15, 2016, was not only a coup attempt, but also a bitter indication of how the most sacred values of our nation—faith, religion, sincerity—could be exploited. Factions that infiltrated national institutions betrayed the state, the nation, the homeland, and all entrusted values. They attacked the nation and the parliament with the very weapons that were entrusted to them. What happened that night was not only etched into our collective memory but also taught us a painful lesson: the exploitation of religious values can be used by foreign powers not only to harm our spiritual world but also to target our state structure, social unity, and future. We are a nation that has always drawn strength from the unifying, revitalizing, and constructive power of religion. However, on July 15, we once again witnessed the devastating consequences of the abuse of these values. The well-known network of betrayal used religious sentiment to poison many innocent hearts and well-intentioned minds. Ultimately, they attempted a coup with traitors who had become so brainwashed that they pointed the nation’s weapons at its own children. July 15 must not be forgotten. Forgotten treachery is repeated. Future generations must remain alert, vigilant, and united to avoid similar destruction and betrayal.”

Stating that the aim of the panel was not only to remember the past, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil also emphasized the importance of being mindful of what needs to be considered while building the future. “As a university, we undoubtedly have to teach our students and society to think critically, to question, and to be aware of all forms of exploitation,” said Rector Karahocagil. He concluded by commemorating all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this country with mercy and expressing his gratitude to all veterans.

Following the speech of Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the panel titled “Religious Exploitation in the Process Leading to July 15”, chaired by Dean of the Faculty of Theology Prof. Dr. Mehmet Murat Karakaya, took place. In the panel, Karakaya explained the literal meaning of the word exploitation and discussed both its positive and negative aspects. Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Murat Karakaya stated that “Every Muslim must convey what they know to those who do not,” emphasizing that preaching (tabligh) is not exclusive to prophets but is a duty of every Muslim.

Next, Faculty of Theology Asst. Prof. Dr. İdris Sami Sümer gave a presentation titled “The Exploitation of Religion in the Context of the Qur'an.” Sümer stated, “Religion is not the only thing that is exploited,” and added that human beings are creatures capable of exploiting everything. Explaining that exploitation began with Satan, Dr. İdris Sami Sümer emphasized the importance of placing moral principles at the center of a society in order to prevent exploitation.

Following Dr. İdris Sami Sümer, Faculty of Theology Asst. Prof. Dr. Zübeyir Aslan addressed the topic “Combating Religious Exploitation in the Context of FETÖ,” stating that the messages of Islam are universal. He noted that there have always been groups seeking to exploit religion throughout history and added that FETÖ is one of them.

At the end of the panel, certificates of appreciation were presented to the panelists by Kırşehir Provincial Police Chief Erdoğan Kartal and Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş.