The aim of the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Mehmet Akif Ersoy Art, History, Literature and Civilization Application and Research Center, established within our University, is to conduct studies on the life, works, and literary and political personality of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the poet of the Turkish National Anthem, and to contribute within this framework to Turkish cultural, intellectual and artistic life.
History, in a sense, expresses a way in which events unfold around great personalities. We can easily say that Mehmet Akif Ersoy, through both his poetry and his actions, holds a very important place in our recent history. A detailed knowledge of his life and art, together with what came before and after, will offer very important opportunities for better understanding the scope, foundations and extensions of the self-awareness of our culture and civilization.
Based on these and similar considerations, the will behind the establishment of the Center decided that Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s life should be researched and put into practice at an institutional level from many different perspectives, such as culture, art, literature, thought, language and politics, and that the data obtained should be made permanent.
The Center's areas of activity can be listed as follows: publishing the works of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, supporting studies carried out on this subject, conducting scientific research in Turkey and abroad as far as possible with a view to promoting Mehmet Akif Ersoy better and making this research available to researchers and academics, and, in the same vein, issuing periodical and non-periodical publications related to its field of activity and organizing seminars, symposia, conferences and similar scientific meetings.