The awards of the competition, which was organized under the leadership of Tuzla Imam Hatip Schools Alumni and Members Association, with the support of ÖNDER Imam Hatip Members Association, Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and Tuzla Municipality, were given to their owners at a ceremony.
Primary, secondary and high school students in Istanbul produced beautiful works of art on justice and mercy. In the Justice and Mercy Competition, in which 535 works from 447 schools participated, awards were presented to the top three students in the fields of painting, poetry and short films. The award ceremony of the competition, which was organized under the leadership of Tuzla Imam Hatip Schools Alumni and Members Association (TİHMENDER) with the support of ÖNDER Imam Hatip Members Association, Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and Tuzla Municipality, was held at Tuzla Municipality Cultural Center and Wedding Palace. The ceremony, which was held with the presentation of artist Hüseyin Goncagül, was attended by ÖNDER Chairman Abdullah Ceylan, Tuzla District Governor Ali Akça, Mayor Dr. Şadi Yazıcı, Ministry of National Education General Directorate of Religious Education Head of Departments İhsan Erkul and Abdulhalik Baş, District Director of National Education Adnan Sarıyıldız, students and their families.
“WE SHOULD PUT JUSTICE AND MERCY ON OUR AGENDA”
Speaking at the award ceremony of the Contest with Justice and Mercy, Abdullah Ceylan, Chairman of ÖNDER, stated that about 500 works were sent to the contest and that these were the works of students who were trying to find their way through two mottos. “No need to tell youth about justice and mercy. We take it out from here. We, as adults, must put justice and mercy on our agenda,” Ceylan said. Stating that it is important for young people to engage in at least one branch of art and that it will be a permanent companion for them, Ceylan added, “I kiss the pure foreheads of my brothers-sisters who have shared beautiful works. I wish all our elders to remain with justice and mercy.”
“THE TWO VALUES WE NEED THE MOST”
TİHMENDER President Ekrem Erdem explained why the theme of the competition is justice and mercy and said, “Justice and mercy are the two cornerstone of being human and the two most important values we need the most in our age. From past to present, they have been accepted as basic moral virtues by different religions and nations and have been recommended to us as a superior behavior in almost every civilization.” Stating that any work done without justice and mercy will be incomplete and unfinished, Erdem added, “It is necessary to be just and merciful towards people and even all kinds of living creatures. Only in this way will life be meaningful and beautiful. With these feelings and thoughts, we tried to place these concepts in the world of our students.”