Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ), organized an ‘ALS Awareness Panel and Photography Exhibition’ in memory of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay, a former Dean of MAKÜ Faculty of Theology, who passed away due to ALS Disease, by the Bucak Zeliha Tolunay School of Applied Technology and Business Management Management Information Systems Community.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay’s name was given to the library established last year at MAKÜ with the aim of including all the works that students may need in basic Islamic sciences, philosophy, and religious sciences.
The ‘ALS Awareness Panel and Photography Exhibition’ organized to commemorate Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay and raise awareness about ALS disease started with great interest from the participants.
In the opening speech, it was emphasized that ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a rare but serious, progressive, and currently incurable nervous system disease. The purpose of the panel was stated as raising awareness in society about the disease and highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and social support.
Before the panel, a short video shot by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay after learning about his ALS disease was shown.
In the first session of the panel, the topic ‘ALS as a Rare Disease’ was discussed, and the definition and progression process of the disease were explained in detail. Then, ‘Medical and Social Approaches in Coping with ALS’ were evaluated.
As a guest at the event, retired faculty member of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurology and President of ALS-MNH Association Antalya Branch Prof. Dr. Hilmi Uysal provided important information about the life process with ALS. Uysal made explanations from a medical perspective about the progression, symptoms, and challenges faced by patients, while also emphasizing that social support mechanisms are as important as medical intervention in the treatment process.
At the end of the panel, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ümmü Gülsüm Kahraman, daughter of the late Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay, who gave her name to the event and Deputy Head of the Department of Management Information Systems at Bucak Zeliha Tolunay School of Applied Technology and Business Management, made an emotional speech. Kahraman described her father's patient and resilient stance during his illness and its impact on their family with the following words:
“We learned about my father’s illness approximately seven years ago. We were lucky to be in a supportive environment both spiritually and materially during this process. The patience and resilience my father displayed during his illness gave us great strength. With his attachment to life and resignation, he made the process easier for us. It is a great honor for us to keep his memory alive here today.”
After the conference, the photography exhibition themed ‘Aging to Live’ prepared in collaboration with MAKÜ Center for Aging Studies Application and Research (YAŞAM) and Happiness Research Coordination was visited by the participants.
This awareness event, which shed light on the social impacts as well as the medical dimensions of ALS disease, delivered a strong message both academically and socially.
Who is Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay?
Born in 1964 in the Kemer district of Burdur, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay started his education at Kemer Middle School and Burdur High School, then completed Atatürk University Faculty of Theology. He did his master's degree at Ankara University and continued his post-doctoral education at the University of Leeds in England.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay held various positions within the Presidency of Religious Affairs, including mufti, inspector, preacher, lecturer, and teacher. Since 2003, he served as Acting Head of the Religious Publications Department of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and was honored with many awards and certificates of appreciation throughout his career.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay participated in many symposiums and conferences related to his field of expertise and presented papers. He also has a research book titled "Religiosity Interaction and Change".
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay made significant contributions to the MAKÜ Faculty of Theology, served as the Dean of the Faculty, and retired in 2022.
He passed away on March 3, 2025, due to ALS disease.
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