23.11.2025 12:35
Semra Acar, the art history teacher at the imam hatip high school of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shared stories about Erdoğan's student years. Acar said, "He was truly a child born to be a leader. He was the class president. He got along very well with his friends and showed great respect to his teachers. We can see the current situation of Turkey. We have surpassed the level of contemporary states in every field. I can say that we have conquered Africa. Africa has now become a part of us."
President Erdoğan graduated from Piyalepaşa Primary School in Kasımpaşa in 1965 and from the Anadolu Imam Hatip High School in Fatih, which bears his name today, in 1973. Semra Acar, who was Erdoğan's art history teacher at the school, spoke about his student years. Acar, who is now 82 years old, shared her memories of President Erdoğan's time as a student.
"I'M GLAD I WENT"
Acar mentioned that when she started her job at Istanbul Imam Hatip High School in 1970, she was looked down upon by the teachers there because she had her hair uncovered, but she quickly integrated with her colleagues and was well-liked at the school. She also noted that Gülhan Kavakcı, the mother of Merve and Ravza Kavakcı, was a German teacher at the school during those years, emphasizing that she had very beautiful days at Istanbul Imam Hatip High School.
Acar expressed that her worldview changed at Istanbul Imam Hatip High School, saying, "I'm glad I went." She stated, "I already had feelings of gratitude, thankfulness, and contentment, but they were further emphasized. We reinforced sharing and giving there."
"MANY THINGS ADDED BEAUTY TO MY LIFE THERE"
Acar pointed out that the school, which had mostly boarding students from almost every province in Turkey, had limited resources at that time, and some needs were met by the teachers. Nevertheless, she noted that Istanbul Imam Hatip High School was among the schools with a certain standard.
Acar shared that cabbage stew was served in the school menu three days a week, and she ate the same meal with the students, saying, "I generally went to their table. We shared, divided, and many things added beauty to my life there."
"OUR PRESIDENT DID ONE BY ONE WHAT I COULDN'T DO"
Acar stated that during her nearly five years at the school, she provided education covering artworks from the beginning of Islam, and they extensively examined Seljuk and Ottoman art. She said, "That's why you see the admiration for Seljuk and Ottoman culture in all my students, especially in our President. It seems he had a great interest, and we identified with many things. What I couldn't do, the things far beyond my dreams, my dear child, our President did one by one. He even went to the Orhun inscriptions and had restorations done."
"ERDOĞAN WAS A STUDENT WHO LEFT A MARK AT SCHOOL"
Acar noted that Erdoğan, who studied as a boarding student like most of his peers, was a successful student with unique qualities who left a mark at the school.
Acar mentioned that Erdoğan represented her at school and that they collaborated on many projects, stating that good people were raised from imam hatip schools, and almost all of them had a goal and vision.
She highlighted that the children studying at imam hatip schools at that time made efforts to achieve success on their way to their goals, saying, "They were children who came to succeed. They all held very good positions in the state in the past and today. They were very successful, of course, under the leadership and guidance of our President. They took him as an example. I truly appreciate the successes of imam hatip students, and I love them all very much."
"HE WAS TRULY A CHILD BORN TO BE A LEADER"
Acar emphasized that Erdoğan's leadership qualities could be seen even in those years, stating:
"People are not born as leaders, nor do they become leaders later, but our President had a difference. He was truly a child born to be a leader. This was the opinion of all our teacher friends, both in his class and at school. He was once the class president, and he was incredibly athletic. He would play sports whenever he had the chance during breaks, and he still does. I see him occasionally starting a game and playing basketball, which I find pleasing; it suits him. His oratory is amazing, and he was also the president of the debate and literature club. Debates were frequently held with other schools. Personally, our President always came first, bringing trophies and awards to the school. The school was honored through him. He got along very well with his friends and showed great respect to his teachers. Even 50 years later, he honored his teachers by picking them up from their homes and dropping them off. He hosted us many times at Dolmabahçe Palace, Adile Sultan, and other places. He never fell short in respect and always praised us, making us happy. May God be pleased with him."
"I WAS CONSTANTLY PRAYING FOR HIS SUCCESS"
Acar stated that she constantly followed President Erdoğan and his speeches, saying that she prayed for his success and expressed her pride and happiness in being his teacher.
"WE HAVE REACHED THE LEVEL OF CONTEMPORARY STATES IN EVERY FIELD"
Acar noted that President Erdoğan's successes are Turkey's successes, stating, "We see the current situation of Turkey. We have reached the level of contemporary states in every field."
"I CAN SAY WE CONQUERED AFRICA"
Acar pointed out that some leaders in old Turkey were intimidated by the leaders of world countries, stating, "The rise that started with 'One minute' has now reached a state of nirvana. Trump, you know, made him a crown jewel. He has very personal and special relationships with Putin. You saw the interest and attention in China. I can say we conquered Africa. Africa has now become a part of us. Asia is the same, Pakistan is the same, Europe admires us. Even those who do not like us admire us. I really love the family photos of leaders. I pay attention to all of them. Their places are certain, but when they enter the hall, they make way; there is admiration, envy, and a desire to emulate. He has brought great prestige to Turkey, may God be pleased with him. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan means peace in the world."
ABOUT SEMRA ACAR
Speaking about her student life and other schools where she taught, Semra Acar mentioned that she was born in 1943 in Ankara as the child of an officer and received her education at one of Turkey's first private schools.
Acar shared that she started her high school life at TED College but completed her high school education in Kars due to her father's assignment, emphasizing that she registered at Istanbul University Faculty of Letters, Department of Art History due to her interest in art history, even though she could have entered law school with the score she received in the university entrance exam.
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Acar expressed that he has a weakness for art, which he describes with the concepts of good, beautiful, and true, and mentioned that he felt a connection to mosques and works of art from a young age, and that the museums he enjoyed visiting hold a special place in his heart.
Acar explained that his first assignment was to Samsun 19 Mayıs High School, and considering his father's warning about the difficulties of commuting to Samsun, he transferred his registration to Eskişehir Atatürk High School. He stated that he taught for two years in classes of 85-90 students here, and then noted that he moved to Istanbul in 1970 due to his wife's job.
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