The event is jointly organized by our university, the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, the AK Party Chairmanship for Relations with Turkic States, the Akimat of the Turkistan Region, Kırsehir Ahi Evran University, and the Khoja Akhmed Yassawi Cooperation and Development Association.
The main objective of the symposium is to comprehensively explore the shared values of the Turkic world from academic, cultural, and social perspectives.
It should be noted that Akhilik is not merely an association of artisans, but also a powerful civilizational model based on honesty, fair earnings, social solidarity, brotherhood, and professional ethics.
Opening the event, the Akim (Governor) of the Turkistan Region, Nuralkhan Kusherov, stated:
“Today’s event clearly reflects deep respect for our region’s culture and arts and represents an important step toward elevating craftsmanship to a new level. Last year, the Head of State signed the Law ‘On the Special Status of the City of Turkistan,’ which creates new opportunities for artisans to develop their craft and promote their products.
In addition, in February 2025, experts from WCC International assessed the development potential of Turkistan’s handicraft sector and granted it accreditation. As a result, Turkistan was awarded the status of a ‘World Craft City.’
Today’s event provides artisans with an excellent platform to exchange experience, promote their products internationally, and establish new partnerships.”
Next, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party, Head of the AK Party Chairmanship for Relations with Turkic States, Member of Parliament of Ankara, Professor Dr. Kursad Zorlu, addressed the audience:
“Dear guests, scholars, and students, I am pleased to be here with you today and convey the warm greetings of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
We have gathered here for an important cultural event dedicated to honoring our shared historical heritage. History preserves the memory of nations, forms the deep-rooted foundation of civilizations, and serves as a guiding pillar for the future.
Through this event, we are not only fulfilling our historical responsibility but also revitalizing a system of cooperative production and human-centered labor that is especially relevant today.
On the eve of the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States to be held in Turkistan this May, I am confident that such a meaningful event will further enrich its agenda. I encourage all of you to integrate the principles of Akhilik into economic, trade, and institutional cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkey. This initiative will undoubtedly bring new momentum across the region, from the ancestral land to Anatolia.
Furthermore, concrete proposals to enhance trade relations between the Turkistan region and Turkey will be developed and submitted to the relevant authorities.
In addition, within the framework of agreements reached with the AMANAT Party, the First Political Forum of the Turkic World will be held in Turkey. May the brotherhood between our nations endure forever. Long live the Turkic world!”
Following this, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Member of the Board of Trustees, Professor Dr. Darkhan Kydyrali, read out a congratulatory letter from the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev:
“Dear participants, I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of this cultural and scientific event dedicated to promoting the spiritual legacy of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi — a great thinker and a unifying figure for the entire Turkic world.
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches great importance to honoring the name and promoting the legacy of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi. In this regard, new initiatives dedicated to his intellectual heritage are being successfully implemented.
Today’s large-scale event in Turkistan — the spiritual capital of the Turkic world — is a worthy continuation of these efforts. The figure of Yassawi symbolizes the spiritual unity of Turkic peoples. Jointly studying such shared historical figures will undoubtedly elevate our cooperation to a new level.”
At the event, Executive Secretary of the AMANAT Party Daulet Karibek, Deputy Minister of Trade of Turkey Mahmut Gürcan, and Consul General of Turkey in Astana Mustafa Kapucu also delivered their remarks.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our university, Professor Dr. Muhittin Şimşek, noted:
“We have held many meetings in this hall, but today’s gathering is particularly meaningful. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing this event. Among us are distinguished artisans and representatives of various institutions. I would like to address our students: Akhilik leaves no room for wrongdoing or dishonesty—it is founded on honesty, trust, and hard work. Please remember this.”
Rector of our university, Zhanar Temirbekova, stated:
“As noted by the speakers, our university regularly hosts cultural and scientific events aimed at promoting the spiritual legacy of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi and strengthening the integration of the Turkic world. However, today’s event is especially significant, as it highlights the depth and importance of the friendship and spiritual ties between our countries.
Whenever we speak of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi and his follower Ahi Evran, we recall the principles of Honest Labor, Fair Earnings, Responsible Citizenship, and a Just Kazakhstan. Today, we have gathered to share responsibility in rethinking, reinterpreting, and passing on to future generations the principles of wisdom, morality, professional discipline, and social solidarity—core values of Turkic-Islamic civilization.
Dear guests, Khoja Akhmed Yassawi University is an institution that integrates knowledge with wisdom, academic excellence with moral responsibility, and modern science with cultural roots. Welcome once again to our university.”
Following the opening ceremony, one of the key spiritual traditions of Akhilik—the girding (belt-tying) ceremony—was presented and explained in detail.
It should be noted that from April 1 to 3, within the framework of the symposium, the Akhilik tradition will be examined in connection with the teachings of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi, and scholarly presentations highlighting the shared cultural identity of the Turkic world will be delivered.
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