This is how I remember the first days of the newspaper's publication. It is like a feast day in the Muslim-sensitive environment in Elazig. Although there were newspapers of the previous period, Milli Gazete created a completely different enthusiasm. I saw this enthusiasm in the environments I was in. There were a few right-wing and conservative newspapers, but their worlds were different. Those who were passionate about writing and poetry sent their poems and articles to these newspapers, and their photographs were published in the newspapers. Contests were opened, and the poems of some were published there. After the National Order Party was closed, the National Salvation Party was established. One of our feet was there. We were participating in the activities of the youth branches. When the National Newspaper started to be published, we did not let it go. The newspaper opened a competition in several branches. Like poetry, short stories, etc. I participated with a story titled “Click”. I narrated a situation such as the gnawing and rotting of a wolf that haunts a tree, symbolizing the intellectual disintegration and deterioration of the period. My story received an honorable mention and was published in the newspaper. This was my first step at the national level. I am at home today.
I applied to the newspaper and requested honorary correspondence, I sent a photo, it was approved. This added a different excitement and atmosphere. I was going everywhere with him. I remember going up to the governor's office. I was watching the matches of Elazigspor for free. I was going through some news that I found important.
After starting university in Erzurum, Yeni Devir newspaper was published. My poems, stories and essays were published on the culture and art page of the newspaper. It was published both under my original name and under the pen-name of Yasir Vurgun. Nuri Pakdil referred to and quoted my essay titled "The Death of the West" in the literary magazine. These were my first steps. On the one hand, I was an avid reader and follower of the magazines Büyük Doğu, Diriliş, Edebiyat and then Mavera.
My de facto participation in the Milli Gazete with my articles began in 1991 with the First Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq. I used to fill half or full page of the back or middle pages of the newspaper with my long articles. These were enthusiastic, lyrical and counterattack writings. It also brought sound. They were writings of resistance to imperialism. Hasan Aycın supported my writings with his drawings.
In this sense, Milli Gazete was the only newspaper that did not get caught in the waves, the tricks of the governments, did not change its direction, and looked at it in a healthy way. Resistance is always a feature of it. The Americanist attitudes of the right-wing governments, their imperialism orientation, the socialist or Marxist bloc spokesmen, materialist views and stances of the left political circles were evident. Some of the right-wing opponents of imperialism turned their faces towards left-wing imperialism.
The Iraq invasion event and its aftermath showed how right the Milli Gazete was.
The Islamic nation has never changed its view and stance in the context of Islamic civilization. He never changed his attitude and demeanor. He resisted on behalf of the Islamic nation like a fortress. He continues to resist.
It was the first newspaper to notice the wave of imperialism defined as the "Arab Spring" and to show its opposition. The newspapers of the right-wing, conservative and Muslim circles accompanied this wave, applauded and even got carried away. They experienced the strange joy and pride of being with imperialism. They didn't even realize that a disaster was coming their way.
Milli Gazete did not change its stance on this issue, either. Even if there were some impressions, he was not taken. He faced strange attacks. Unfortunately, we regret to state that the Milli Gazete did not do anything to be ashamed, bored or embarrassed.
Despite its inadequacies in terms of newspaper and journalism opportunities, heavy pressures and embargoes, it continues its existence and dignity seriously.
I have never felt ashamed or regretted about what I wrote in the Milli Gazete until today. My most free space. Although we criticized ourselves and sometimes warned ourselves, I did not encounter an iota of grimace and censorship. My space of thought and freedom. My field of war and jihad. With my pen and my word.