Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, during his speech at the 29^th Akhism Week Celebrations in Kırşehir, stated that those who look on from the outside see Anatolia as just a patch of ground.

Stating that Anatolia is not the name of the land but the spirit of the land, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For a thousand years, this spirit has worked the land, poured its sweat. One of the milestones of our thousand years in this region is the akhism culture founded by Akhi Evran. Akhism culture has a special place in our tradition. It is the root of our community. It is the first profession organization in the world. It is the organization of traders, industrialists and craftsmen. The global chambers and artisan systems are copies of our akhism and guild systems of 900 years.”

Stressing the importance of knowing history, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The business etiquette, profession standards, vocational training, intellectual and industrial property rights foreigners are trying to teach us was taught to the world by the Akhi culture. Bringing ethics and trade together, Akhism came to be known as the global capital honest trade. Akhis were not just honest traders. They knew that ethics of a society are shaped by trade and traders’ ethics. We are the guardians of this charge from the Seljuks and Ottomans.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that today’s Akhis, their community and members, are doing business in every corner of the earth, proudly flying the Turkish flag.

- President Erdoğan

President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed his gratitude to everyone who embodies the tenets of the Akhi traidition.

Stating that artisans and craftsmen continue to be the pillars of the Republic of Turkey, just as they were in the Seljuk and Ottoman period, Erdoğan said, “Overcoming the difficulties which we are facing is supported greatly by the solidarity movement headed by our artisans and craftsmen.”

- Other speakers

Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfekci stated that the spiritual capital of akhism is Kırşehir and that it has kept the culture alive for centuries. Tüfenkci state that akhism is the amalgamation of trade and ethics.

Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdağ stated that Kırşehir is an important milestone in the Turkification and Islamification of Anatolia with the artists and men of science it has borne forth.

- Haji Bektash Veli Shrine visit

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklığlu visited Haji Bektash Veli Museum and Shrine in Nevşehir following the Akhism celebrations.