Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

We are all experiencing the excitement and joy of our children, who are the guarantee of our future, starting a new academic year.

Ensuring our children have access to quality education, develop their talents, and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals committed to national and spiritual values ​​is one of our top priorities.

The greatest credit in this process belongs to our valuable teachers who dedicate themselves to the future of our children. I thank all our teachers who perform their duties selflessly and wish them success in the new academic year.

2026 – 2027 Academic Year in Formal Education

We will continue to work hand in hand with all stakeholders in our education community to ensure that our dear students receive a quality education and can discover their talents and develop themselves to the fullest. Preparing our students for the future in safe and modern learning environments will remain one of our most important priorities.

I pray that the academic year, which will begin on Monday, September 14, 2026, will be productive and peaceful for the entire education community, and I wish success to our children, who are the guarantee of our future.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a message on the occasion of World Peace Day on September 1st.

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

“September 1st, the day the Second World War began, is celebrated as World Peace Day in our country, as in many countries around the world.

September 1st, World Peace Day, was established to celebrate peace and tranquility after perhaps the bloodiest war in world history, which left millions dead, wounded, and countless victims. Unfortunately, even today, we are forced to celebrate it with a heavy heart. Despite all the suffering and the repeated experience that war, which only benefits arms dealers, is not a solution, the continued perception of war as the first option for resolving problems remains the greatest obstacle to the peace that all of humanity needs.

Despite all these negativities, we, the descendants of our heroic ancestors who ruled the world with justice and tolerance for centuries and established peace across a vast geography, must continue to uphold the principle of “Peace at home, peace in the world,” as expressed by the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and, as we did centuries ago, we must continue to be the hope of the world and the oppressed for peace and tranquility.

“With the hope that it will be an occasion for an end to the bloodshed and tears in the world, I congratulate all people on World Peace Day, September 1st, and with the hope of leaving a better future for our children, whom we see as our future, a future where lasting peace prevails, I wish you happy and peaceful days.”

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a message on the occasion of August 30th Victory Day.

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

Today, we celebrate the 104th anniversary of August 30th Victory Day with great pride; it is the day when the Great Offensive, a turning point in our struggle for independence and freedom, ended in victory.

Our struggle to make Anatolia our homeland, despite all the difficulties encountered, ended in victory on August 30, 1922. Thus, the “August 30th Victory” has been etched in golden letters in our history as one of the symbols of our beloved nation’s determination to protect its independence and future.

This victory, the result of an epic struggle waged despite all the hardships, poverty, and impossibilities, heralded the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Our duty today is to protect our homeland and our Republic, entrusted to us by our ancestors, with the same awareness and spirit, and to work with all our might for the development of our country.

I commemorate with gratitude and respect all the heroes of the War of Independence who made this land our homeland, especially Commander-in-Chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, who gifted us this great victory, and our precious martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our country, and I express my gratitude to our veterans.

I congratulate all members of the Turkish Armed Forces, who selflessly serve for the integrity of our homeland and the independence of our nation, as well as our nation and my fellow citizens of Erzurum and Istanbul, on the 30th August Victory Day, and offer my respect and love.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a message on the occasion of the July 24 Journalists and Press Day.

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

The 24th of July 1908, when press censorship was lifted, guaranteeing journalists the impartial and free performance of their duties as intermediaries in fulfilling the public’s right to receive and disseminate information, is one of the most important turning points in the history of the Turkish press.

Today, our national and local press, adapting to the rapidly developing and changing media age, diligently fulfills its duty in bringing issues of interest to broad segments of society to the forefront, fulfilling the demands of our people, monitoring public affairs, and shaping public opinion on important issues.

Our press, which conducts its work with an impartial approach based on fundamental rights and freedoms, serves as the eyes, ears, and voice of our nation and contributes to the public’s right to information.

Our esteemed members of the press, who carry out their duties with this understanding, courage, and selflessness, deserve all praise and appreciation.

With these feelings and thoughts, on the anniversary of the lifting of press censorship in our country, I congratulate the entire press community, especially the valuable local and national press members who serve with dedication in our province, on “July 24th Journalists and Press Day,” and I commemorate with mercy the press workers who lost their lives while fulfilling their duties.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

May 29, 1453, is a pivotal turning point in history, marked by the conquest of Istanbul under the leadership of the great commander Mehmed the Conqueror, which changed the course of history.

The conquest of Istanbul is considered not only a great victory achieved through determination, faith, and resolve, but also one of the most important events in the history of civilization.

On this occasion, I celebrate the anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul; and I commemorate with mercy and gratitude all our ancestors who contributed to this great victory, especially Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: May 29, 2026

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

We are experiencing the joy and excitement of reaching another Eid al-Adha. I hope that this blessed Eid al-Adha will bring goodness, blessings, and peace to all our citizens and the Islamic world, and that it will be a means for peace among humanity.

Holidays are not only days for fulfilling our religious duties, but also days of solidarity, mutual assistance, and sharing. They strengthen love, respect, and brotherhood among people, reinforcing unity and togetherness, and hold an indispensable place in our social and cultural life. Therefore, holidays are among the most important building blocks that hold our society together.

We should view these festive days, when hopes blossom, goodness flourishes, and solidarity and mutual assistance increase, as an opportunity to strengthen our spirit of solidarity and our bonds of brotherhood. Besides enriching and brightening our lives, holidays are important occasions for people to draw closer, to unite, for the bonds of brotherhood and friendship to be revived, and for our unity to be further strengthened.

During these blessed days, we remember our martyrs and veterans with gratitude. As an expression of these feelings of gratitude and appreciation, I believe it is a requirement of human values ​​to visit the families of martyrs, our veterans, as well as our elderly without families, our disabled citizens, and the children living in children’s homes, and to bring them joy.

I wish our citizens, and especially our drivers, to abide by traffic rules more than ever, to avoid traffic violations such as speeding and tailgating, to refrain from driving while sleepless or tired, and to spend accident-free, healthy, and happy holidays with their loved ones, being aware that every traffic rule is worth at least one life.

With these feelings and thoughts, and with the hope that our blessed Eid al-Adha will bring peace and tranquility to our country and the world, I sincerely congratulate my fellow citizens of Erzurum and Istanbul on Eid al-Adha, and offer my greetings, love and respect, with wishes for health and happiness.”

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: May 24, 2026

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

“With its climate, fertile lands, and strategic importance, our heavenly homeland Turkey is our most precious treasure. These fertile lands have enabled the cultivation of the highest quality agricultural products. The contribution of our farmers, who shed their sweat on our fertile and generous lands, to the growth and development of the economy is immense.”

The labor of our farmers, who earn their living from the land and add value to the products they obtain from it before delivering them to us, is sacred. In recent years, very successful work has been carried out in the field of agriculture in our country, and our agricultural sector has shown significant growth.

Our dedicated farmers, who work at every stage of agricultural and livestock production, are of paramount importance in increasing production and productivity, improving their living conditions, bringing their products to market, and in the development of agriculture and livestock in our country and region.

For centuries, our province has offered the richness of nature to civilizations with its climate and fertile lands. Knowing the value of this geography, we understand the importance of agriculture in economic development. Agriculture’s contribution to meeting food demands, capital accumulation, expanding the domestic market, providing employment, contributing to national income and the market, increases the importance that should be given to agriculture. Therefore, we are working to develop agricultural activities in our province, carrying out projects, and supporting farming, the oldest profession of humankind, which combines patience, sincerity, and hard work for a productive, prosperous, and peaceful society.

With these feelings and thoughts, I celebrate the 14th of May World Farmers’ Day for our farmers who earn their living from the land, who work the land, and who bring us the products they obtain from it.”

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: May 12, 2026

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a message on the occasion of May 3rd, Turkish Nationalism Day.

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

“Turk is not the name of a race or an ethnic origin, but the name of a great nation honored with Islam, a nation that rebels against oppression and injustice,” he said.

Akkuş, stating that May 3rd is a historical moment in the manifestation of the will to exist of Turkish nationalism, expressed the following in his message: “I emphasize that I am honored and proud to be a member of a nation that has carried the banner of Islam for more than 10 centuries. ‘Turk’ is not the name of a race or ethnic origin, but the name of a great nation predominantly living in Central Asia, Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Middle East, honored by Islam, and rebelling against oppression and injustice. From history to the present day, as a nation, we have proudly and honorably sacrificed our own existence for the sake of our sacred homeland. Nationalism is working and producing to ensure our beloved nation takes its rightful place in the world. Our national survival and independence are indisputable conditions.”

May 3, 1944, has gone down in history as a historical monument of Turkish national consciousness, like a torch that will illuminate the future in the hands of true, devoted and committed men of the cause. May the spirit of May 3rd be lived in all hearts with all its excitement and sincerity. Happy May Day!

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: May 2, 2026

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

May 1st, which was accepted to be celebrated as “Labor and Solidarity Day” in April 2008, was declared an official holiday by a law passed in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on April 22, 2009.

Celebrated in all countries as a day of unity, solidarity, and struggle against injustice, May 1st symbolizes the peaceful and democratic pursuit of rights by our working citizens. It is a special day where diverse views and opinions converge around the sanctity of labor. May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day, a day of hard work, physical labor, dedication, and justice, is celebrated to highlight various problems in working life, propose solutions, and resolve potential conflicts between workers and employers, establishing a balance based on rights and laws.

On this occasion, I wish for the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day to be celebrated in a festive atmosphere free from all negativity, where peace, tolerance, and brotherhood prevail. I celebrate this day as a symbol of all our working citizens seeking their rights through democratic and peaceful means, and I wish health, well-being, and success to all our brothers and sisters who earn their bread with their sweat. I wish our beloved nation and all the nations of the world a future free from blood and tears, filled with peace, unity, togetherness, and brotherhood.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: April 28, 2026

Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding, included the following statements in his message;

As we approach the end of Ramadan, a month filled with mercy, forgiveness, grace, and blessings, we are experiencing the spiritual peace of reaching Laylat al-Qadr, a blessed night that Allah Almighty has described as “better than a thousand months.”

Undoubtedly, this blessed night offers a great opportunity for the enlightenment of our inner world and the increase of our spiritual peace. I believe that this night, which guides people to profound thought and reflection, will contribute to the unity and solidarity we need always and everywhere, and that respect and love, the most important values ​​that make up a society, will be strengthened and come to life in our hearts tonight.

On this occasion, I wish health, peace, and well-being to all of humanity, especially my esteemed fellow citizens and the Islamic world; and I congratulate our nation and the Islamic world on this blessed night, Laylat al-Qadr, which is announced in the Holy Quran as being better than a thousand months. May our Laylat al-Qadr be blessed.

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul