Dear children,
Excellency Mr. Ambassador, the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
Dear parents,
Distinguished guests,

Today, we are celebrating with pride the 94th anniversary of the inauguration of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on 23rd April 1920, which later on 29th October 1923 proclaimed the foundation of the new Republic of Turkey. The day on which the national will and sovereignty start to prevail and rule over the destiny of the Turkish Nation was proclaimed as the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day and dedicated by Atatürk to Turkish children.

In Turkey, April 23rd is a National Holiday and has been celebrated as an international festival with children from all over the world in a spirit of peace and harmony since 1979. Thus, Turkey is privileged to have become the first country in the world that celebrates an official Children’s Day.

On this day of rejoice and festivity, as the Turkish Ambassador in the Sultanate of Oman, I am happy to be here with children from different countries and of various nationalities standing and playing hand in hand and heart to heart with Turkish children.

Dear children,

You are the future of your countries and hope of your nations. You will hold important positions and whatever profession you will choose you will be the representative of your country in the future. With the successes you will have, your achievements will be decisive on the path toward the accomplishment of the aims of your country.

We adults, all would like to see you healthy, successful, peaceful and happy. The creation of a world of peace and amity, which surely is everyone’s aim to achieve, will be realized through children. Your heart full of love, tolerance and goodness will be the foundation of peace for all. And, it should be our primary duty, greatest challenge and utmost responsibility to ensure that you live your childhood away from war, hate, hunger and deprivation.

I would like to reiterate our love for and trust in you. Our biggest wish is that your accomplishments and happiness last forever.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the founder of our Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and His comrades in arms and cause, all heroes of our War of Independence, our martyrs and veterans and members of the First Grand National Assembly and salute them all with our highest respect and deepest gratitude.

On behalf of the Turkish Embassy in Muscat, I once again celebrate your festival and extend my good wishes to you all.