The 19th Imam Hatip Members Congress was held with enthusiasm... The 19th Imam Hatip Members Congress, which was held in Sivas by the ÖNDER Imam Hatip Association with the participation of the imam hatip associations in 81 provinces of Turkey, came to an end. A final declaration was also announced at the end of the convention. A final declaration was also published at the end of the two-day convention held with the participation of NGO representatives, academics and educators. In the declaration, it was said: “Imam-hatip followers have responsibilities towards all humanity, the Islamic Ummah, our nation and the entire imam-hatip community.”
“REPRESENTATIVE OF A SUPREME FAITH AND CIVILIZATION”
Speaking at the closing lecture of the congress, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş also stated that they are going through important times and sensitive periods for the world, the region and the country. Erbaş stated that it is vitally important for Imam hatip generation to fulfill its duty in service of nation, ummah and humanity in a very strong and regular manner with a common sense approach, knowledge, consciousness and foresight, being aware of all these developments, and said, “Because the imam hatip generation is the representative of a supreme belief and civilization. It is our nation's unity mortar, fraternity insurance. It is a pioneering generation in every field from the revival of good morals to the construction of a civilization of compassion.”
“WE WILL WORK FOR A YEAR IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THIS MOTTO”
Abdullah Ceylan, Chairman of ÖNDER Imam Hatipliler Association, who came before the participants to give a thank you speech at the closing of the congress, thanked them for coming from 81 provinces of Turkey and participating in the congress for two days of fruitful work. Reminding that this year's motto was determined as pacta sunt servanda, Ceylan said, “We will work within the framework of this motto for a year. The school that we do not go to, in every city, in our district, where we do not knock on the door, our student whose problems we do not worry about will not remain. Today, my request from you is to show loyalty to our promise and work harder and to take responsibility for the future of all our children, our country and the ummah.”
Deputy Minister of National Education Osman Sezgin, General Director of Religious Education Mehmet Nezir Gül, Kırklareli University Faculty Member Dr. Yasin Çakırel and educator Cemal Yılmaz also made presentations. In the program, the mother of the late Tarık Kesekçi, a humanitarian aid volunteer, addressed the participants within the framework of pacta sunt servanda. Reyyan Duman, who got a full score in the High-School Entrance Exam (LGS), was also in the program and received an award from the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş.
“HAS 100 YEARS OF THE PAST”
While President of Islamic Thought Institute and International Islamic Thought Foundation Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez was making the opening speech of the congress, Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, stated that they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of imam hatip high schools in 2024. Pointing out that from the perspective of tradition, function and need it is very important for an educational institution to have a 100-year history, Şentop said, “Imam hatip schools and high schools were not actually established as a single school, but as a chain of schools. Therefore, it will realize its 100th year as an institution that encompasses and includes a large community from its institution, its founder, administrator, teacher and student. I would like to express that it is a very important anniversary.”