The 9th Ahilik Symposium has begun under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye. The event is supported by the Kırşehir Governorship and hosted by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. It is organized in cooperation with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), and the Union of Credit and Guarantee Cooperatives for Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESKOMB). The symposium was held on September 14, 2026 at the July 15 National Will Hall of the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center. The event was attended by Kırşehir Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan and Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil. Şırnak University Rector Prof. Dr. Abdurrahim Alkış and Kırşehir Deputy Governor Altuğ Çağlar also attended. Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş were also present. Among the other participants were Prof. Dr. Kazım Hacımeylic, Prof. Dr. Servet Bayındır, Prof. Dr. Şuayip Özdemir, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adnan Güzel, AK Party Kırşehir Provincial Chair Seher Ünsal, and Bahamettin Öztürk, President of the Kırşehir Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen. Local administrators, directors of public institutions, political party representatives, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academic and administrative staff, researchers, students, and members of the press also attended. This year’s theme of the 9th Ahilik Symposium is “From Tradition to the Future: Ahilik from Islamic, Economic and Administrative Perspectives.”
Before the opening program, Ahi Pilaf was served in the foyer of the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center. The opening program then began. The first opening speech was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Maruf, Chair of the Symposium Organizing Committee. He gave information about the symposium and its program. Maruf stated that the Ahilik Symposia continue each year with different themes to keep Ahilik culture and civilization alive and to introduce them to wider audiences. He added that this year’s theme was chosen as “From Tradition to the Future: Ahilik from Islamic, Economic and Administrative Perspectives.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Maruf wished for a successful symposium and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the event.
Rector Karahocagil: “Ahilik Is Not Only a Professional Organization or a Historical Institution. It Is at the Heart of Our Institutional Identity and Future Vision.”
Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil then took the floor and spoke about Ahilik culture and its place in Anatolian civilization. He also gave detailed information about Ahi Evran-ı Veli and the establishment of the Ahilik organization. Rector Karahocagil said, “The Ahilik organization is a unique expression of the search for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in these ancient lands. It was able to keep society together even without state authority. It later became one of the foundations that contributed to the establishment of the Ottoman State.” Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil explained that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University takes its name from Ahi Evran-ı Veli, the founder of the Ahilik organization. He noted that the University was established in Kırşehir, the capital of Ahilik and one of the important founding cities of Anatolian civilization. He added that the University sees it as a duty to carry this valuable heritage into the future by combining its historical roots with today’s opportunities and capabilities. He continued: “Ahilik is not only a professional organization, a historical institution, or an old cultural tradition. It is at the heart of our institutional identity and future vision. For us, Ahilik represents a vision of Anatolian civilization and a model for educating people. It is also a human-centered model for local and regional development and a value-based approach to quality. For this reason, everything we do at our University should be based on the values of Ahilik. Our aim is not only to explain Ahilik, but also to keep it alive and carry its values into the present and the future.”
Rector Karahocagil: “Ahilik Is Not a Slogan, but a Legacy Entrusted to Us”
In the rest of his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil spoke about the quality studies carried out at the University. He stated that integrating the values of Ahilik with modern quality management systems offers an important opportunity to build a sustainable and value-based approach to quality. Rector Karahocagil said that the University continues its “Quality Assurance in Higher Education” studies from Institutional Accreditation processes to the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model. He noted that these studies are based on the values of Ahilik. He described this approach to quality as “competing in goodness.” He also emphasized that the principles and values of Ahilik should continue to guide both individual and social life today. He stated that more effort is needed to understand and explain Ahilik. He also stressed the importance of presenting it to today’s society as a practical social model. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil emphasized that Ahilik is not a slogan but a legacy entrusted to us. He added that Ahilik will continue to exist today just as it did in the past. Rector Karahocagil wished for a productive and successful 9th Ahilik Symposium. He also thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the symposium.
MP Necmettin Erkan: “Ahilik Is Not Just an Organization of Tradesmen. It Is a Comprehensive Vision of Civilization That Brings Together Economic Ethics, Responsible Production and Fair Earnings.”
After Rector Karahocagil, Kırşehir MP Necmettin Erkan delivered a speech. Erkan said that Ahilik is not only an organization of tradesmen. He described it as a comprehensive vision of civilization that brings together economic ethics, responsible production and fair earnings. Erkan stated that many concepts discussed today in academic circles have their roots in Ahilik. These include business ethics, consumer rights, sustainable production, master-apprentice relations in vocational education and social solidarity. Referring to the history of the Ahilik organization, Erkan continued: “Ahilik was far ahead of its time. It covered many areas from quality control to professional ethics. It also developed an early form of social security through the ‘common fund.’ In addition, Bacıyân-ı Rum under the leadership of Fatma Bacı showed the important role of women in production. Therefore, what we are discussing today is not just a forgotten page of history. It is a living idea that still has something to say to the present.” At the end of his speech, Kırşehir MP Necmettin Erkan wished for a productive symposium. He also thanked everyone who contributed to the event.
After the opening speeches, a Şed ceremony was held for Osman Sadou from Niger on behalf of all participants. Sadou had taken part in the Ahilik-Based Entrepreneurship Training organized in cooperation with our University and TİKA. The Şed was presented by Kırşehir MP Necmettin Erkan, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil and Deputy Governor Altuğ Çağlar.
After the Şed ceremony, the opening session of the symposium began. The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Maruf, Chair of the Symposium Organizing Committee. Prof. Dr. Kazım Hacımeylic gave a presentation titled “The Moral Understanding of Ahilik and Today’s Economic and Administrative Practices.” Prof. Dr. Servet Bayındır presented “Evaluation of the Principles of Islamic Social Finance from the Perspective of Ahilik.” Prof. Dr. Şuayip Özdemir spoke on “Ahilik and Business Management in the Context of Business Ethics.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adnan Güzel gave a presentation on “The Economic and Financial Structure of the Ahilik System, Its Evaluation in the Context of the Islamic Financial System and a View of Today’s Modern Economic and Financial System from the Perspective of Ahilik.” The 9th Ahilik Symposium will continue with different sessions at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center until September 19, 2026.
