Türkiye Commemorates 87th Anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Passing with State Ceremony in Ankara

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye on Monday solemnly commemorated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, on the 87th anniversary of his passing, with an official state ceremony at Anıtkabir, his mausoleum in the capital, Ankara.

The ceremony was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, Cabinet members, political party leaders, senior judicial officials, and high-ranking military commanders.

President Erdoğan led the tribute by laying a wreath of red and white carnations shaped as the Turkish flag on Atatürk’s tomb.

At 9:05 a.m. local time (0605 GMT) — the exact moment of Atatürk’s passing — participants observed a moment of silence, followed by the singing of the national anthem. During the tribute, the Turkish flag was lowered to half-staff across the country in remembrance of the nation’s founding leader.

Following the ceremony, President Erdoğan and accompanying officials proceeded to the Misak-ı Milli Tower, where he signed the Anıtkabir Memorial Book, expressing his respect and gratitude to Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms.

“We passionately protect the Republic of Türkiye, which you called your ‘greatest work,’ and continue to adorn every inch of our country with new achievements,” President Erdoğan wrote.

“Under the leadership of competent and qualified cadres, Türkiye is progressing with confident steps on its path to becoming a global power,” he added.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk served as the first President of the Republic of Türkiye from its founding in 1923 until his passing on November 10, 1938, in Istanbul at the age of 57 due to cirrhosis.

Each year on November 10, Turkish citizens nationwide observe a moment of silence at 9:05 a.m. and visit Anıtkabir to pay homage to the founder of modern Türkiye, whose legacy continues to inspire the nation’s unity, progress, and vision for the future.