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Sixteen Palestinian medical students from the Faculty of Medicine at Gaza's Al-Azhar University completed their training at Istanbul Medeniyet University (IMU) and received their diplomas at a graduation ceremony held at the Aşık Paşa Conference Hall on the university's South Campus.

Speakers at the ceremony thanked Turkey for its support of Palestinian medical students, praised the graduates for finishing their education despite the conditions in Gaza and voiced hope that the new doctors will return to serve the population there.

Turkey stands with those who are wronged

IMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Yaşar Bülbül said Turkey has always stood with people who have been wronged. "Our country has always treated the suffering geography as a part of itself. Wherever there is a victim, it extends a hand in line with its means," Bülbül said, adding that this program is a valuable part of that effort. Bülbül voiced hope that the wounds would heal soon with Turkey's contribution and that the dignity of the suffering region would be restored.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Sadrettin Pençe remembered the medical students and health workers who lost their lives in Gaza. Pençe said access to treatment for patients, education for young people and a safe life for civilians must not be blocked under any circumstances, calling it a matter of conscience for all of humanity, not only for Gaza. Pençe said the university has seen 33 students graduate over the past two years and described each diploma as a new hope reaching toward Gaza's tomorrows.

Doctors as a source of hope

Prof. Dr. Orhan Alimoğlu, chair of the Medeniyet Africa Health Research Center (MASAM), said a physician stands at the center of the front that defends human beings. "A physician is the hope in a painful and terrifying darkness," Alimoğlu said, adding that the graduates, who emerged from the destruction in Gaza, are each a hope for a future growing among the rubble.

Gazan academic Prof. Dr. Sobhi Skaik expressed deep gratitude to the university's administrators and said the close attention and humanitarian touch shown in helping medical students complete their education was extremely valuable despite the difficult conditions continuing in Gaza.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Hüseyin İsmail said the group represents doctors of a generation that knows the meaning of pain and wants to give people hope, not only treat illnesses. İsmail said their biggest dream is to return to Gaza one day and serve their people.

Solidarity with Palestine's cause

Palestinian Health Minister Macid Ebu Ramazan, who sent a video message to the ceremony, thanked Turkey for its support for Palestinian medical students. Ramazan said the health infrastructure in Gaza has been heavily damaged and that the gathering does more than train medical students. "It symbolizes solidarity with Palestine's just cause. We are ensuring the continuity of our young generation of doctors, which will play a major role in reviving our health system," Ramazan said.

Muhammed Riad Zaghbur, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Gaza's Al-Azhar University, said Turkey opened its doors to them when the world closed its own. Zaghbur said the doctors will return to Gaza to rebuild the health system destroyed by the Israeli occupation.

Oath, anthems and farewell

The ceremony opened with the Turkish and Palestinian national anthems and a recitation from the Qur'an. Officials from Gaza's Al-Azhar University presented certificates of appreciation to the IMU administration and to the academics who contributed to the process.

The 16 graduates received their diplomas and gifts from protocol members and academics. The event closed with the graduates taking the medical oath under the direction of Prof. Dr. Skaik, a performance of the Al-Azhar University anthem and a group photograph.

Key takeaways

• Sixteen Palestinian students from Gaza's Al-Azhar University completed their medical training at Istanbul Medeniyet University and received diplomas.
• IMU said 33 students have graduated over the past two years through the program.
• Palestinian Health Minister Macid Ebu Ramazan said the graduates will help rebuild Gaza's damaged health system.
• One graduate said the group's biggest dream is to return to Gaza and serve their people.