08.02.2026 14:42
Seventy-seven-year-old retired İsmail Zurnacı, who lives in Kayseri, was inspired by Turkish defense industry products at a fair in Istanbul and subsequently donated his 77,000 square meter land inherited from his father to the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation. Zurnacı said, "At the fair, an American general kept coming to the weapons produced by ASELSAN. He looked at it as if to say, 'If the Turks want to, they can do it.' I cried out of pride there. I have no regrets at all."
Seventy-seven-year-old retired İsmail Zurnacı, who lives in the Develi district of Kayseri, donated his 77,000 square meter land in Develi, inherited from his father, to the Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation (TSKGV) after being impressed by Turkish defense industry products at the IDEF International Defense Industry Fair he attended in Istanbul. Zurnacı was awarded two different certificates and a gold medal by the foundation, which hosts many important firms for the Turkish defense industry. By donating his land for the development of domestic and national weapons, Zurnacı takes pride in his donation to TSKGV, contributing to the important and strategic domestic weapons developed each year and the national defense initiative.
"I CRIED OUT OF PRIDE THERE" İsmail Zurnacı, who explained that he was affected by the national defense initiatives of the foundation, said, "I met with the founders of the foundation. I asked for a brochure. I decided to make a donation there. I saw the weapons and drones produced in 2005-2006 with my own eyes. Stands were set up in Silivri, and they were being exhibited there. They were making contracts for the products that friendly countries liked. This situation affected me a lot. There was a weapon made by ASELSAN. It caught my interest. Generals from friendly countries were also visiting the stands. An American four-star general caught my attention. While touring the stands, he always came to this weapon produced by ASELSAN. He had a thoughtful expression. I said to myself; 'If the Turks want, they can do it.' Believe me, I cried out of pride there. One of our generals saw me in that state and said, 'Sir, you are very emotional.' I said, 'Sir, it is impossible not to be emotional as a Turk after seeing these.' But as a Turk, I wish these had been done 50-60 years ago. That’s why I felt proud. I was affected," he said.
"HE GAVE ME THE DEEDS IN FRONT OF WITNESSES" Zurnacı, who explained that he contracted a lung disease during his time in Istanbul, said, "I was renting a place in Beşiktaş. I contracted a lung disease. I dropped to 33 kilos. Three months later, with the help of Rahman and then the doctors, I was discharged at 86 kilos. They didn’t let me work for 2 years. Charitable organizations sent us food. After two years, I started working. During this time, I heard that my father was ill. My father called my other siblings to take care of him, but they didn’t go. Then he called me. I couldn’t resist because I was suffering from illness. After his treatment, I brought him to Istanbul with me. My father gave me the deeds in the presence of witnesses and deed officials. My late father told the officials, 'Make it so solid that they will take it from him after I die.' According to the law at that time, the deeds could be given to anyone as long as they were maintained. We stayed together in Beşiktaş for a year. We buried him in our village upon his will," he said.
"I HAVE NO REGRETS" Zurnacı, who also emphasized the importance of the right to the homeland, said, "When I met with the generals, this foundation suited my logic. These properties came to me. But I am mortal too. After I die, my children will not deal with these properties. They also took from the villagers. They said, 'You should have sold it to us cheaply.' I did not accept and made the decision to donate to our foundation. I am happy. Because I saw the production. Maybe if I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have been happy. Every year, new weapons are being showcased. I go and see them. I live alone in Kayseri. My children are in Beşiktaş, and I am happy here. I donated a 77,000 square meter deed to the Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation. It belongs to our foundation. I have never cared about its market value. I never asked. But some said, 'If you hadn’t donated, you could have bought 1-2 luxury apartments in Develi.' I did not accept this because we will leave this world. In the afterlife, the right of neighbors is always talked about, but no one talks about the right to the homeland. But Rahman will ask. He will say, 'What did you do for your homeland?' In the essence of Islam, there is independence. To be independent, you must be strong. They do not explain this. Based on this, I made my donation. Thank God, I am at ease. Looking back, I have no regrets," he stated.
"I WAS EXCLUDED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD" İsmail Zurnacı, who stated that he was excluded in the area where he lived after donating his land to the foundation, said:
"As a Turk, it is impossible not to feel proud. But I wish the arms factories established during Atatürk's time had not been closed. Perhaps today those factories would be selling weapons to the world and producing technology. It is said that there are nearly 400 million Turks in the world. One is not made a Turk; one is born a Turk. The consciousness of being Turkish is not in a person's hands. It is in the genetic makeup of creation. Because I made a donation, I am currently excluded in the neighborhood where I live. I cut off my relationship with the environment. I live happily in my own way," he said.
"THE STRONGER WE ARE, THE MORE COMFORTABLE WE WILL BE" Zurnacı stated that Turkey needs to be strong in the region, saying, "The weapons produced by the defense industry are pride-inducing; the planes, drones, everything produced related to the defense industry is very pride-inducing. That’s why I am very happy. I wish our sensitive citizens would help this foundation.
Because no one can take anything from this realm. The stronger we are in our region, the more comfortable we will be, and peace will be achieved then. Because we are in a strategic region. They do not want us to develop. They appear friendly to us, but they are not actually. That's why we need to be very strong. As a donor of the foundation and as a Turk, I am very happy. As a Turk, I was very upset about the closure of the aircraft factory established by Atatürk in Kayseri. I could not accept it. Other countries are making forward moves by developing what they have. Our people are closing what exists. This upset me a lot. That's why I am happy. Thank goodness our foundation has been established and continues to produce. May future generations be comfortable. As long as the world exists, may our state be strong and ensure peace; I am intent on this. It is not a profit-oriented foundation like other foundations. It is a foundation aimed at production. I have received 2-3 certificates. I was awarded a gold medal," he said.