13.03.2026 21:30
Details regarding the funeral program following the passing of İlber Ortaylı, one of Turkey's leading historians, academics, and authors, have been clarified. An memorial ceremony will first be held at Galatasaray University for Ortaylı, who earned the respect of large audiences through his contributions to Turkish historiography. The esteemed historian will be buried in the Fatih Mosque cemetery after the funeral prayer, which will take place following the afternoon prayer at Fatih Mosque.
The program for the funeral ceremony of the esteemed historian İlber Ortaylı, who passed away, has been announced. According to a statement made by his family, Ortaylı, one of Turkey's important historians, will be laid to rest on Monday, March 16, 2026.
MEMORIAL CEREMONY AT GALATASARAY UNIVERSITY
A memorial ceremony for Ortaylı will first be held at Galatasaray University at 11:00 AM. Academics, students, and admirers will commemorate the master historian here for the last time.
HE WILL BE FAREWELLED AT FATIH MOSQUE
After the memorial ceremony, Ortaylı's funeral will be brought to Fatih Mosque. A funeral prayer will be held following the afternoon prayer for the esteemed historian.
After the funeral prayer, İlber Ortaylı's body will be laid to rest in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
In a previous interview, when asked, "Do you have a will regarding your grave?" he replied, "I suppose it will be in Gallipoli. I don't want to be here. I don't like crowds."
DIED IN HOSPITAL
Due to health issues, historian and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a private hospital for some time, passed away at the age of 79 after being intubated as his condition worsened.
In a statement titled "We have lost İlber Ortaylı," his family expressed the following:
"We lost our elder İlber Ortaylı on March 13, 2026. Despite long-lasting and increasingly complex health issues, his curiosity for life and desire to be with people never diminished, and he lived as he knew for as long as he could. His readers, students, and admirers surrounded him with a love and respect that no academic could ever receive. We express our deep gratitude in his name.
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM ERDOĞAN: I AM DEEPLY SADDENED
Following the news of his passing, which caused great sorrow in the education community, President Erdoğan also shared a condolence message for Ortaylı. In his message, Erdoğan stated, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of our esteemed Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who earned the respect of our nation with his intellectual personality, knowledge and experience, books, research, and academic work, and who was the recipient of the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Award. I pray for God's mercy upon Mr. İlber Ortaylı; I extend my condolences to his grieving family, students, friends, all his admirers, and our academic community. May God grant him a place in paradise."