Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Philanthropist and Businessman Asaf Atasoy, published a message on the occasion of “December 10th World Human Rights Day”.

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

With the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 77 years ago in 1948, “December 10” is a special day that emphasizes our respect for human rights and the importance of these rights.

The right to life is undoubtedly humanity’s most fundamental and important right. This is followed by human emotions and behaviors such as unity, solidarity, love, respect, brotherhood, and friendship, regardless of religion, language, race, or gender.

Unfortunately, human rights and freedoms are still being violated worldwide, and crimes against humanity are being committed before the eyes of the world. The worst human rights violation is taking place in Gaza. Israel is committing massacres in Gaza, indiscriminately targeting babies, children, the elderly, and women, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Our state stands against the oppressor and stands with the oppressed, demonstrating its strongest condemnation of Israel’s inhumane attacks against our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza. It is working diligently to mobilize the international community to stop the massacre in Gaza. Furthermore, it is spearheading humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Human rights are not just a matter for a specific region or segment of society, but for all of humanity. This must be achieved through the combined efforts of states, civil society, international organizations, and every individual.

Throughout history, our country has made significant contributions to a culture of peace worldwide by embracing diverse cultures and has always been a pioneer in international efforts to protect and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms. Our country will continue to be a leader, a reliable, and an exemplary implementer by working to eliminate the obstacles that prevent international human rights standards from being implemented for everyone.

With these feelings and thoughts, I hope that December 10th, World Human Rights Day, brings peace, tranquility, and happiness to all humanity; I hope we live in a world where human rights and freedoms are protected and observed, where there is no discrimination or violation, and where all troubles come to an end.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, November 24th, which is the anniversary of Head Teacher Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s acceptance of the “Head Teacher of the National Schools”, I congratulate all our teachers with love and sincerity.

Teaching, one of the most honorable professions in the world, is a valuable and sacred profession that requires effort, devotion, patience and tolerance, and whose value cannot be measured by any financial reward.

Teachers are the heart and soul of a society. Raising virtuous and moral generations that embrace society is possible through the extraordinary efforts and success of our teachers. Undoubtedly, true success lies in “good morals.” Beyond raising successful individuals, and even more importantly, shaping generations armed with our values, reflecting one another, and keeping their consciences watchful over themselves will only be possible through the hands of our teachers. Indeed, Head Teacher Atatürk’s description of teaching as an “army of wisdom” expresses this same perspective.

Head Teacher Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emphasized the importance of the teaching profession, which serves as a bridge between the past and the future, by saying, “Society’s greatest enemy is ignorance, and the enemy of ignorance is the teacher. The teacher is the teacher of the past and the founder of the future. The future belongs to the youth. And the youth are the work of the teachers.”

With these feelings and thoughts, I wholeheartedly salute all our teachers who work tirelessly, day and night, in every corner of our country, under all circumstances and conditions, sparing no sacrifice to instill in our children, the light of their eyes, knowledge and wisdom, truth and beauty, universal values, morality and spirituality, patriotism and love for the nation.

I remember with mercy and gratitude our teachers who were martyred in the line of duty, especially Head Teacher Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, and our esteemed teachers who have passed away. I wish a blessed, healthy, happy, and long life to our teachers who have fulfilled their duties, raised generations that have been beneficial to their country and nation, and are now retiring.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

We commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, with mercy, gratitude and respect on the 87th anniversary of his passing.

Atatürk, who devoted his life to his country and nation, led the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, which is independent and based on national sovereignty, with the strength and support he received from his nation, despite the difficult conditions and limited resources in our country.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who once again showed the world that the Turkish Nation cannot be held captive, is a leader who sheds light on the entire world not only with the victories he won and the works he bestowed upon us, but also with his profound thoughts and the ideas he put forward.

Our duty today is to work harder as a nation in unity and solidarity in order to look to the future with confidence and to achieve the goal of contemporary civilization set by Atatürk, with the strength we derive from our past.

Understanding Atatürk requires a thorough understanding of his ideas and their application. The founding of the Republic of Turkey rewrote an era. Atatürk, who led the Turkish nation, whose fire for independence never extinguished even when every corner of the country was under occupation, became the architect of the greatest war of independence in history, a war where faith transformed into victory, believing that our nation would not bow down to captivity.

We will never forget Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and all the heroes of our struggle for independence who selflessly became martyrs and veterans for our homeland, who showed the whole world that a nation can never be destroyed unless its determination and will to live together and independently is broken.

We commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic and the architect of our independence, whom we bid farewell to the eternal realm on November 10, 1938, with mercy, gratitude, and respect on the 87th anniversary of his passing. May his soul rest in peace.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: November 7, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

We are experiencing the pride and joy of celebrating together, in national unity and solidarity, the 102nd anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.

The Republic is the result of a great victory achieved by a nation following a national struggle undertaken with faith and determination to achieve independence, despite all kinds of impossibilities, with love for the country, freedom and independence.

Our beloved nation, which has defended its independence and future with an unprecedented heroic epic in history, has maintained its unity and solidarity today, as it did in the past, and has known how to unite and be united with tighter ties.

In the 102 years since the founding of our Republic on October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey has taken its place among the rising powerful countries of the world and made significant progress with its growing economy, breakthroughs in the fields of health, education, science and culture, and strong democracy.

The Republic of Türkiye will continue to advance with confident steps on the bright path that lies before it and will walk towards the future with hope.

With these feelings and thoughts, I commemorate with mercy our cherished martyrs who made these lands our homeland, especially Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, and our veterans with gratitude and respect, and I congratulate the 102nd anniversary of the founding of our Republic.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: October 25, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Philanthropist and Businessman Asaf Atasoy, published a message on the occasion of October 19th, Mukhtars’ Day.

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

Our muhtars, who hold an important place in our social life, who lead the way in ensuring that the needs and demands of our citizens are met by the relevant institutions, and who are the public officials closest to our people, are also indispensable and powerful representatives of our democracy.

Our muhtars, who closely monitor the on-site determination and resolution of all demands of our citizens, including their most basic needs, in the neighborhoods where they work, are fulfilling a duty that requires sacrifice and responsibility.

Our mukhtars, who constitute the most important link in the integration of the State and the Nation, who represent all institutions of our state in the neighborhoods where they work, who come to power through elections and form the basis of our democracy, are our valuable representatives who identify the demands, problems and expectations of our people on-site and take the necessary steps to find solutions.

With the approval of our President, the institution of muhtarship has become an important cornerstone of our democracy and the diligent work of our muhtars has been appreciated.

I congratulate all our muhtars, who work selflessly to deliver public services to our people in our province effectively and quickly, for their devoted work. I celebrate “October 19th Mukhtars’ Day” and offer my respect and love.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: October 16, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

We are experiencing the peace and happiness of observing the “Mawlid Kandili”, the anniversary of the birth of our Prophet (SAW), who brought us the age-old and universal message of Islam, who was sent as a symbol of grace, mercy and good morals to humanity, and as a mercy to the worlds.

I thank Almighty Allah for allowing us to reach another Mawlid al-Nabi, and I send my blessings and salutations upon the Master of the Worlds, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Mawlid al-Nabi is a blessed day that witnesses humanity’s most blessed birth. The Prophet’s path is the path of beauty, truth, justice, loyalty, and morality. His path is the path of mercy, compassion, tolerance, unity, and togetherness. This path transformed a society of resentment, hatred, and revenge into a society of love, affection, compassion, and mercy.

I hope that Mawlid al-Nabi will be an occasion for us to properly commemorate our Prophet and to correctly understand and comprehend the sacred messages he wanted to convey to humanity.

On this occasion, I hope that we will truly comprehend the beautiful moral values ​​of our beloved Prophet and the sacred message he conveyed to humanity and apply them in every aspect of our lives. I hope that Mawlid Kandili will bring peace, love, brotherhood, justice, compassion, and tranquility to our country, our beloved nation, the Islamic world, and all of humanity.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: September 3, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

Living in peace and security, with dignity, is one of humanity’s most fundamental rights. The killing of innocent people in the global climate of inescapable war and conflict is one of the fundamental contradictions of today’s world. This situation profoundly affects humanity and prevents it from facing the future with confidence. The murder of children, women, defenseless people, and innocent citizens in many parts of the world, or their displacement from their countries as victims of war, raises grave concerns for humanity.

Despite all these adversities, we, the descendants of our heroic ancestors who governed the world with justice and tolerance for centuries and established peace across a vast region, continue to be the hope of peace and tranquility for the world and the oppressed today, just as we were centuries ago. Our struggle to stop the bloodshed of the oppressed in many countries, to establish democracy, and to establish peace and stability in the region serves as a lesson to all countries worldwide.

I celebrate September 1st, World Peace Day, with the hope that it will bring an end to the bloodshed and tears in the world, and I hope that we can leave a better future where lasting peace prevails for our children, whom we see as our future.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: August 31, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

The August 30 Victory is not only a significant military success achieved as a result of the great heroism and glorious struggle displayed by our army, whose heart is filled with patriotism and faith, united with its nation despite all the deprivations and impossibilities; it is also an unforgettable symbol of our nation’s superior will, love for our country and nation, unparalleled determination, strong unity and solidarity.

The power groups that are trying to weaken the Republic of Türkiye through coup attempts and terrorism will never achieve their goals and will certainly be defeated in the face of the unity of the Nation and State.

The high spirit and consciousness that lie at the foundation of our country and our state, the love of our homeland and our love of freedom that we possess as a nation, will always remain vibrant and continue to illuminate our path, regardless of the circumstances. Our goal is to further develop and strengthen our country with the awareness and diligence to be worthy of our martyrs and veterans who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for our sacred homeland.

Our homeland, watered on all sides with the blood of martyrs, is a trust entrusted to us by our dear sons and veterans who have drunk the sherbet of martyrdom.

With these feelings and thoughts, I commemorate with gratitude all the heroes of our War of Independence who gifted us this victory, especially Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and I congratulate all our citizens on August 30 Victory Day with my most sincere feelings.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: August 28, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

The Victory of Manzikert, in terms of both Turkish and world history, and its political and military implications, is one of the most significant victories in history. The Victory of Manzikert opened the doors of Anatolia to our nation, marking the greatest step toward making it the eternal homeland of the Turks.

Anatolia has been the cradle of civilizations and cultures throughout history, and for nearly a thousand years after the Victory of Manzikert, it has been the center of Turkishness, power, reason, and faith. Our duty is to pass on this sacred legacy, bequeathed to us by our ancestors and under the banner of our red flag, to future generations with honor and glory.

Global colonialists, enemies of Turkey, must know that our beloved nation has the power to crush its internal and external enemies, who threaten its future, its independence, its homeland, its peace and order, its unity and solidarity, just as it did yesterday. For this army of heedless people who fail to learn from history, history will repeat itself.

I commemorate with mercy and gratitude all our martyrs and veterans who have sacrificed their lives for the unity, life, independence, and future of the Turkish nation and the indivisible integrity of our homeland, and our ancestors who have preserved and glorified our state tradition extending from Sultan Alp Arslan to Mehmed the Conqueror and Atatürk. I celebrate the 954th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert and wish that our noble nation may live freely and independently in unity and peace until eternity.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: August 24, 2025

Asfa Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Asaf Atasoy, included the following statements in his message;

The Victory of Manzikert, in terms of both Turkish and world history, and its political and military implications, is one of the most significant victories in history. The Victory of Manzikert opened the doors of Anatolia to our nation, marking the greatest step toward making it the eternal homeland of the Turks.

Anatolia has been the cradle of civilizations and cultures throughout history, and for nearly a thousand years after the Victory of Manzikert, it has been the center of Turkishness, power, reason, and faith. Our duty is to pass on this sacred legacy, bequeathed to us by our ancestors and under the banner of our red flag, to future generations with honor and glory.

Global colonialists, enemies of Turkey, must know that our beloved nation has the power to crush its internal and external enemies, who threaten its future, its independence, its homeland, its peace and order, its unity and solidarity, just as it did yesterday. For this army of heedless people who fail to learn from history, history will repeat itself.

I commemorate with mercy and gratitude all our martyrs and veterans who have sacrificed their lives for the unity, life, independence, and future of the Turkish nation and the indivisible integrity of our homeland, and our ancestors who have preserved and glorified our state tradition extending from Sultan Alp Arslan to Mehmed the Conqueror and Atatürk. I celebrate the 954th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert and wish that our noble nation may live freely and independently in unity and peace until eternity.

Abdullah Yiğit-Istanbul

Last Updated: August 24, 2025