Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked the 954th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert with a message of unity, resilience, and a vision for a “Century of Türkiye.”

Speaking before a large crowd at Malazgirt National Park, Erdoğan underscored that Turks, Arabs, and Kurds will remain bound together in this geography, and that Türkiye will continue to serve as a beacon of hope for the oppressed across the wider region.

The Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt), fought in 1071 between the Seljuk Turks under Sultan Alparslan and the Byzantine Empire, is considered a turning point in Anatolian history. The Seljuk victory opened the gates of Anatolia to Turkish and Muslim settlement, laying the foundation for centuries of Islamic civilization in the region.

For Erdoğan and his supporters, the annual commemoration is not only a remembrance of past glory but also a symbolic link between Türkiye’s historical destiny and its modern political mission. By invoking the names of Sultan Alparslan and Salahaddin Eyyubi (Saladin), Erdoğan situates Türkiye within a continuum of Islamic leadership and resistance against oppression.

Drawing strength from that history, Erdoğan said the Turkish nation continues to walk toward the future with courage and self-confidence: “We are walking towards the future with the spirit of Malazgirt. Today we have a Türkiye that bows to no power when its survival is at stake. We have a state that has become the hope of the oppressed and downtrodden, defending not only its own citizens but also the Palestinian cause on every platform.”

Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye is one of the few nations standing firmly with Gaza against Israeli aggression. He pointed to over 102 tons of humanitarian aid delivered to Palestinians, alongside active diplomacy through letters, phone calls, and international forums.

The president also stressed Türkiye’s progress against terrorism, declaring that the state has dismantled threats that once plagued the nation: “Despite all sabotage attempts by those who feed on blood and conflict, we are closer than ever to a terror-free Türkiye.”

At the same time, Erdoğan portrayed Türkiye as a safe haven for oppressed peoples: “We have seen this in Iraq. We have seen this in Syria for the past 14 years. We have seen this across the Balkans and the Caucasus. Türkiye will continue to be a refuge for those who face oppression, marginalization, and death. Just like our Syrian brothers, the assurance of security and well-being for Kurds lies in Türkiye.”

Reaffirming Türkiye’s regional role, Erdoğan rejected foreign meddling and called for dialogue-based solutions: “Those who turn to Ankara and Damascus will win. Those who favor brotherhood will win. But those who seek foreign patrons will eventually lose. We favor lasting peace in our entire region and the solution of problems through dialogue and diplomacy.”

Erdoğan’s most striking message was his appeal for unity among the peoples of the region: “No one should ever forget that we as Turks, Arabs and Kurds will live side by side forever in this geography. We will still be here even after those who feed on Muslims’ blood disappear from the stage of history. We, as the grandchildren of Sultan Alparslan and Selahaddin Eyyubi, will join forces to build a great and strong Türkiye, a terror-free Türkiye, and ultimately a terror-free region.”

Since coming to power, Erdoğan has elevated the Manzikert anniversary into a state-level commemoration, transforming what was once a historical remembrance into a political rallying point. By linking Malazgirt with modern struggles — from counterterrorism to Palestinian solidarity — Erdoğan seeks to strengthen national unity while projecting Türkiye as the leader of the Islamic world.

The “Century of Türkiye” vision, which Erdoğan frequently references, encapsulates this ambition: a Türkiye that is militarily strong, economically independent, and spiritually rooted in its historical legacy.

The 954th anniversary commemoration thus became both a remembrance of a great Islamic victory and a call to solidarity among the peoples of the Middle East. Erdoğan’s speech, steeped in history and symbolism, placed Türkiye at the heart of regional peace, resistance against oppression, and the promise of a new Islamic century.

As he declared in Malazgirt: “We will be here forever. We as Turks, Arabs and Kurds will continue to live side by side, and together we will shape the great and strong Türkiye of tomorrow.” (ILKHA)