Ugur Suleyman Soylemez
Here is the translation of the provided text into English:
He was a Mavi Marmara veteran who had been in a coma for 4 years. Today, he joined the caravan of martyrs by losing his life. With Söylemez's martyrdom, the number of martyrs killed by Israel on the Mavi Marmara has risen to 10.
Uğur Süleyman Söylemez was born in Ankara in 1963. A freelance professional, Söylemez was part of the flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza in May 2010. Immediately after the Mavi Marmara attack, Söylemez's name was initially listed among those who lost their lives on the ship, but later it was determined that he was among the injured and critically wounded by a gunshot to the head. Uğur Süleyman Söylemez, who had been in a coma in Ankara for 4 years, joined the caravan of martyrs from his home in Ankara today. After being brought to Turkey along with two other severely injured individuals, he was transferred to Ankara Atatürk Research Hospital, where he underwent intensive care treatment for eight months. With no improvement in his condition, Söylemez was discharged from the hospital to be cared for at home after eight months. Engaged in trade, Uğur Süleyman Söylemez is married to Tuğba Söylemez and is the father of three children named Ahmet (1988), Zeynep Kübra (1991), and Fatma (1997). Known for his commitment to humanitarian causes and reliability in keeping promises, he organized various social events for the needy. Tuğba Hanım recalls him, saying, "He always had a special interest in Palestine."
From the words of Uğur Süleyman Söylemez's wife, Tuğba:
Tuğba, could you tell us about Süleyman Bey's relief efforts and his interest in the oppressed around the world, particularly in Palestine?
Uğur Bey was very sensitive to all oppressed people and loved to help. He supported charitable foundations as much as he could and within his means. His most sensitive issue was Palestine.
Süleyman Bey continued his professional career. How did he manage to handle so much?
He empathized with the suffering of the oppressed as if he were in their place. Material things meant nothing to him. Even his own children—he couldn't see them. "I need to go and help them," he said, boarding the ship. That's how he always was. Whenever there was someone to help, he would be the first to rush forward.
Süleyman Bey boarded the ship from Antalya, I think. They stayed at Kepez Sports Hall for three or four days. Were you in frequent contact while in Antalya? What did he tell you about the environment there?
We talked on the phone a lot. He would tell me everything he experienced there. I think there was an English Muslim there. He mentioned him. He described the atmosphere. "Some are reading the Quran, some are listening to music... Everyone is acting according to their beliefs; it's a very different, very unique environment," he would say. "Actually, I would have loved for you to be here too, but now I'm going." he said.
When was your last conversation?
He called when he boarded the ship. "We're moving, we might not see each other again, forgive me," he said. That was our last conversation.
After the heinous attack, were you able to hear from your husband? What was the process like for you?
We couldn't hear from my husband for three and a half to four days. After all passengers and the wounded returned, we learned that there was a severely wounded person left in Israel and that he couldn't be brought to Turkey because of his serious condition. At the Prime Minister's instruction, we received a photo of that wounded person. The person in the photo was my husband.
How did you learn about the attack? What did you experience afterward?
My son and I were constantly following the journey on IHH's website. It was around 10-11 pm on May 30th, they said the blackouts had started. My son said, "Mom, let's go to the Israeli Embassy." I said, "Let's wait until morning." When we woke up for morning prayer, we immediately checked the internet and learned that the ship had been hit; there were seriously injured and martyrs. After praying, we immediately went to the Israeli Embassy. There were only two people in front of the embassy at that moment; later people started gathering. At first, they said there were five martyrs, then another news came and it was said that there were 20 martyrs. My son and I knew that our father was one of them. Because he was a very brave person who didn't hesitate at all. He was very different... He was a person who could sacrifice his life, and he did...
You went to Israel by ambulance plane to get your husband. Did you communicate with Israeli officials? What did you experience there?
The embassy officials welcomed us. We went to the hospital where Uğur Bey was with Turkish doctors accompanying us. The doctors said, "We will see him first. We will get information about Uğur Bey's condition. Then we will let you see him." Then my son and I went to see my husband. They were saying that Uğur Bey's condition was very critical, that he was a patient who could be lost at any moment, and that it was very risky to take him to Turkey for this reason. I was very uncomfortable with my husband being in the hands of Israelis there. My son and I consulted and decided to bring my husband to Turkey no matter what. They made us sign some papers for the transfer and said they accepted no responsibility. I said, "Can you tell me that you accepted responsibility when you hit him?" Without permission from me.
Suppose Süleyman Bey gets up tomorrow morning. What do you think he would do first? Have you ever thought?
Sometimes we talk and now if he stands up I'm sure he wants to go to Palestine again. He will go without hesitation.
Tuba Hanım, do you have anything else you would like to add?
This incident we have experienced has matured us. We didn't realize many things before. When a person lives some things himself, he understands better what happens in Palestine. He understands the families of martyrs and wounded there better. Mavi Marmara martyrs and wounded families should not be forgotten. All Muslims should truly support them from the heart.