ISTANBUL — President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a sweeping address on Saturday warning that powerful technology leaders are actively seeking to reshape the lives, values, and futures of young people. Speaking at the grand 75th-anniversary gathering of the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti in Istanbul, the Turkish leader asserted that Türkiye must actively cultivate a new generation capable of driving technological progress while steadfastly preserving its national and spiritual identity.
Addressing a large audience of educators, students, and civil society leaders, Erdoğan identified youth as the primary targets of what he termed “techno-oligarchs.” He accused these powerful technology executives of attempting to steer the trajectory of global society entirely in accordance with their own narrow interests and worldview, leveraging advanced tools to commodify human beings, nature, the skies, and even space itself.
The president noted that the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence and rapidly accelerating technological advancements are fundamentally transforming human society. This unprecedented shift, he argued, makes it increasingly urgent to shield young minds from corrosive ideologies that promote racism, unbridled hedonism, and a total disregard for traditional moral boundaries.
Central to Türkiye’s defense against these global pressures, Erdoğan said, is the rising domestic talent pool, epitomized by participants in the country’s premier aerospace and technology festival.
“The TEKNOFEST generation will be our greatest assurance against the domineering mentality of techno-oligarchs who commodify people, nature, the sky and even space,” Erdoğan said, pointing to the nationwide success of TEKNOFEST, which champions domestic innovation and draws hundreds of thousands of young science and engineering enthusiasts.
The president emphasized that the historical ethos of the İlim Yayma generation remains equally critical to this national endeavor. He called for an educational framework that ensures modern technology is developed and deployed through a deeply human-centered approach, prioritizing moral responsibility alongside scientific inquiry.
“Our common goal is to raise a generation that uses and develops technology with a human-centered approach,” Erdoğan told the audience, advocating for young people who read widely, exercise critical thinking, and produce innovative work without ever compromising their conscience, humanity, or deep-rooted connection to national and spiritual values.
Pointing to recent troubling incidents reported in schools, Erdoğan cited these events as alarming evidence of the real-world threats posed by harmful external influences. He reiterated that students must be actively safeguarded against cultural currents that propagate racial hatred and excessive self-indulgence. He urged students and educators alike to remain deeply committed to their societal responsibilities, emphasizing that the nation must thoroughly prepare its youth to navigate an increasingly uncertain future shaped by rapid technological disruption and intense global cultural pressures.
İlim Yayma’s 75-Year Legacy in Turkish Education
Turning to the historic milestone of the evening, President Erdoğan offered high praise for the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti, a prominent Turkish educational and civil society organization founded in 1951. He lauded the institution for its enduring contributions to the nation’s public education system and its pivotal role in nurturing successive generations of ethical, well-educated students.
Erdoğan observed that the organization’s three-quarter-century history is deeply intertwined with the modern history of Türkiye itself. He remarked that the founding philosophy of the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti directly reflects the country’s long-standing national aspiration to educate young citizens who are knowledgeable, principled, and dedicated to serving the broader community.
“Although it was founded in 1951, the history of İlim Yayma is also the history of Türkiye,” Erdoğan stated. “Its founding philosophy is the philosophy of Türkiye’s existence, and its ultimate goal is Türkiye’s centuries-old aspiration.”
During his address, the president paid heartfelt tribute to the visionary founders of the organization, recalling their personal sacrifices and historic contributions during periods of immense political and social hardship. Among those he honored was Seniyüddin Başak, the organization’s first president, who played a key role in protecting Turkish foundation properties during the Lausanne Conference. He also remembered Gen. Ömer Cemal Karabekir, a steadfast supporter of the Turkish National Movement during the War of Independence, and retired Col. Vehbi Bilimer, a decorated veteran of the Gallipoli campaign, the Battle of Kut, and the Turkish War of Independence.
Furthermore, Erdoğan recalled the legacy of Hasan Hikmet Demirbaş, a prominent writer for the Sebilürreşad magazine and a close associate of Türkiye’s national poet, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, among the foundational figures who helped establish the civil society organization.
The president noted that these founders shared an unyielding commitment to ensuring that Turkish children would never be deprived of formal education, essential knowledge, or sound moral guidance, even amid the turbulence of the mid-20th century. Their shared ambition, he added, was to entrust the future of the nation to a confident, highly educated, and deeply responsible generation.
Describing the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti as a living symbol of Türkiye’s broader struggles for independence and democratic resilience, Erdoğan emphasized that the organization’s historic mission has always been inextricably linked to the nation’s ongoing educational milestones.
Expanding Imam Hatip Schools and Student Support
A cornerstone of Erdoğan’s speech was his acknowledgment of the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti’s instrumental role in the reopening and expansion of imam hatip schools, which uniquely integrate rigorous religious instruction with comprehensive general academic education.
Recalling the organization’s rapid mobilization, Erdoğan noted that it helped establish Türkiye’s very first imam hatip school on October 17, 1951—just six days after the official founding of the society. In the decades that followed, the organization provided vital financial and logistical support for the construction of more than 100 such high schools across the country.
This systematic expansion successfully extended quality educational opportunities far beyond the cultural hub of Istanbul, bringing modern learning institutions to cities and towns across Anatolia, Erdoğan explained. Beyond high school education, the organization established student dormitories in several major urban centers, offering crucial scholarships and secure accommodation for students traveling from distant provinces to pursue higher education in Istanbul. These services, he noted, enabled tens of thousands of young individuals to continue their studies in safe, supportive, and conducive environments.
Despite facing numerous systemic obstacles, political pressures, and socioeconomic difficulties over the decades, Erdoğan said the İlim Yayma Cemiyeti steadily expanded its footprint, cementing its status as an indispensable pillar of Türkiye’s educational and civil society landscape. He credited the unwavering determination and deep-seated faith of the organization’s founders with laying the bedrock for an institution that continues to empower students and educators to this day.
A Nationwide Network of Branches and Education Centers
Detailing the contemporary scale of the organization, Erdoğan shared impressive statistics illustrating its nationwide growth. The İlim Yayma Cemiyeti currently operates 192 branches, 153 student dormitories, and 122 dedicated education centers, offering comprehensive support ranging from foundational schooling to higher education and advanced academic development.
The president also extended his gratitude to the broader institutional network, including the İlim Yayma Foundation, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and active alumni associations. He asserted that their synchronized efforts have allowed the wider İlim Yayma community to deliver profound service to the country and society at large.
“What 68 dedicated individuals set in motion 75 years ago now touches the lives of millions through schools, dormitories, scholarships, education centers, academic support and international initiatives,” Erdoğan said.
Characterizing the organization’s remarkable growth as a profound source of national pride, Erdoğan likened the founders’ early efforts to planting a modest seed that, under divine providence, has blossomed into a mighty plane tree providing shelter to countless students. He urged current members and leadership to pass this rich legacy on to coming generations with renewed vigor, expressing absolute confidence that the organization’s scope of service will continue to widen in the years ahead.
Investing in Future Generations Amid Global Change
Looking toward the future, Erdoğan stressed that while İlim Yayma’s past achievements are historic and commendable, its ongoing relevance will depend entirely on how effectively it adapts to shifting societal demands and technological revolutions.
He posed forward-looking questions to the assembly regarding how the institution can reach an even broader segment of students, help young people uncover their latent talents, safeguard their spiritual growth, and reinforce national identity against overwhelming global cultural homogenizing influences. Furthermore, he underscored the absolute necessity for Türkiye to generate indigenous scientific, technological, cultural, and artistic works deeply rooted in its own historical traditions while remaining globally competitive and relevant.
Reiterating his earlier warnings about the digital age, Erdoğan noted that artificial intelligence is already fundamentally altering the rhythms of everyday life, compelling educational institutions to overhaul traditional pedagogical methods and institutional priorities. He reiterated his critique of powerful technology executives, whom he cautioned are attempting to manipulate not only the present social order but also the trajectory of future generations to serve private agendas.
The central challenge for Türkiye, the president maintained, is ensuring that technological innovation serves humanity broadly rather than reducing human life and the natural world to mere economic commodities. He reiterated that the TEKNOFEST generation serves as the prime archetype of the resilient, forward-looking youth required to meet this complex challenge, successfully marrying advanced scientific ambition with uncompromising ethical responsibility and a robust sense of cultural identity.
“Do not become complacent or lose heart,” Erdoğan told the receptive audience in his concluding remarks. “If you have faith, you are the ones who will prevail.”
Pledging that the organization will steadfastly maintain the noble mission initiated by its pioneers, Erdoğan affirmed that its members will uphold their historical legacy without seeking transient worldly rewards such as social status, fame, or material wealth. He concluded by expressing his profound faith in the capabilities of Türkiye’s youth, strongly encouraging them to carry forward the organization’s historic educational mission with unwavering determination.