― 6 марта 2026 г.

Historical Loyalty at TURKSOY: Commemoration of Turkestan's Heroes of Independence and Korbashys in Ankara

The International Organization of Turkic Culture TURKSOY hosted a  commemorative gathering to pay tribute to the memory of heroes of the National Independence Movement of Turkestan and Shir Muhammed Bek, one of the symbolic figures thereof.

The event emphasizing the historical role of the Korbashys, who ignited the flame of independence in the region, and their unbreakable ties with Anatolia was  held in TURKSOY Headquarters and gathered diplomats, scholars, local administrators, and many guests from the Turkic World.

As part of the commemorative event, the 3rd edition of the book “Korbashy: Shir Muhammed Beg, Leader of the National Independence Movement of Turkestan” written by researcher-author Emin Yarımoğlu, was introduced to the audience with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Turkestan is Not Just a region, It is a Will for Independence”

Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY, who delivered the opening speech of the event, stated that Turkestan is not just a geographical term, but represents a struggle for memory and identity. Deputy Secretary General Yusuf further said, "We gratefully remember our ancestors who paid the price for us to reach this level today. The Turkish language, history, and culture are a whole; it is TURKSOY's primary duty to pass them on all together to future generations." 

The Golden Bridge Between Anatolia and Turkestan

In his speech Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy, the President of the Ahmet Cavad Institute and Chief Advisor to the President of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), drew attention to the historical solidarity between Turkestan and Anatolia. Referring to the importance of the gold sent from the Bukhara Khanate during the Struggle for National Independence, Prof. Dr. Ersoy said, "Today, we thank the Russians at the monument in Taksim Square, but we pay tribute to the spirit of Bukhara, the spirit of Korbashys, and Shir Muhammed Bek, who were the real source of that support, with the same outcry today. This struggle is part of the spirit of the National Forces that liberated Adana from occupation."

Emotional Greeting from the Grandson of Shir Muhammed Beg

Osman Beg, the President of the Turkestan Cultural and Solidarity Association and grandson of Shir Muhammed Beg, stated that his grandfather's grave in Adana and the story of hislife hold symbolic value in the relations between Türkiye andTurkistan. Shir Muhammed Beg also expressed his appreciation as to the fact that this tradition to commemorate, which has been kept alive in Adana since 2006, has gained an international dimension under the auspices  of TURKSOY.

Prof. Dr. Adnan Sözen, the Rector of the Adana Alparslan Türkeş University of Science and Technology, stated that the university has strengthened its strategic ties with the Association of Universities of the Turkic World and said: “In line with the meaning of our name, we are determined to bring young people from the Turkic World together with science and technology.”

Mr. Bilal Uludağ, the Mayor of Sarıçam who also took the floor at the event stated that they are keeping this sacred memory alive with the “Park named after Korbashys of Turkistan” which they opened in Adana and aadded that they will continue to support projects carried out for the preservation of cultural heritage. At the event,  Mayor Uludağ was honoured  with the “Ahmet Cavad Medal” for his contributions to the Turkic World.

The Korbashy Movement from a Scientific Perspective

Following the opening speeches, the author Emin Yarımoğlu who  shared important details about his book and the period during the panel discussion stressed that the movement, which Soviet propaganda tried to discredit by calling it “Basmacı,” was actually a genuine national struggle for independence. The panel also featured:

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• -Prof. Dr. Nurettin Hatunoğlu, who discussed the independence movement in Eastern Bukhara,
• -Prof. Dr. Çağla Gül Yesevi, who discussed the identity of Turkestan and migration processes,
• -Dr. Timur B. Davletov, who discussed the importance of the struggle in the context of TURKSOY's cultural integration policy from an academic perspective.
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The event ended with prayers for those who lost their lives in the Turkestan struggle and a group photograph taken as a remembrance of the day.