04.05.2025 13:20
The first ceremony after the passing of Sırrı Süreyya Önder was held at the AKM. His daughter, Ceren Önder Kandemir, was overcome with tears when she saw her father's image on the screen.
The Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder passed away yesterday after a 18-day struggle for life following a 12-hour difficult surgery due to aortic dissection diagnosed after a heart attack he suffered at home on April 15. Önder, 62, bid farewell to life due to multiple organ failure.
MEMORIAL CEREMONY AT AKM
The first ceremony for Sırrı Süreyya Önder was held at AKM. Many of Önder's relatives, loved ones, and notable figures from the art and political community attended the ceremony. Önder's funeral will be held at Levent Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mosque after the afternoon prayer and will be laid to rest at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
OVERWHELMED WITH TEARS UPON SEEING HIS FATHER'S IMAGE
Önder's daughter Ceren Önder Kandemir was overwhelmed with tears when she saw her father's image on the screen at AKM. She reached out her hands towards her father's image and cried continuously.
READING THE LETTER SHE WROTE TO HER FATHER
Ceren Önder Kandemir came to the podium and read the letter she wrote to her father with tears in her eyes. The letter included the following lines;
"A NEW LIFE BEGINS"
"Whenever I wrote something, I would look for him to read it. I wrote a letter to him last week, and I want to read it to you. Dad, all the colors of life are gone, the life I knew is over. A new life begins. It is filled with frightening uncertainty. Ever since I can remember, I have been afraid of losing you. This was my only weakness, my stomach ache. I used to say this man only makes me suffer by dying. Your inability to fit into homes, your reluctance to hurt anyone, your greater fear of breaking hearts.
"I WOULD CALL BECAUSE MY CAT DIED"
My heart is broken, dad, I fell in love, I couldn't sleep, I would call because my cat died. I was very fulfilled with your fatherhood. I couldn't get enough of your friendship. I'm angry that you didn't take care of yourself."