Syrian pilot honored after 43 years in prison for refusing to bomb civilians in 1982 Hama Massacre
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) presents an award to Ragid El-Tatari (R) during the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation 8th International Benevolence Awards Ceremony at Bestepe Congress and Culture Center in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 13, 2025. (AA Photo)
Syrian pilot Ragheed al-Tatari, who spent 43 years in prison for refusing to bomb civilians during the 1982 Hama massacre ordered by former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, was honored with the International Kindness Award by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
The ceremony, held at the Bestepe National Congress and Cultural Center in Ankara, marked the eighth annual International Kindness Awards presented by the Turkish Religious Foundation (TDV). The event was attended by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, Head of Religious Affairs Ali Erbas, and other dignitaries.
Al-Tatari’s recognition highlights one of the longest imprisonments for conscience in modern history. He was held in Syria’s notorious Sednaya Prison after refusing military orders during one of the Assad regime’s most brutal crackdowns.
Among other honorees was elementary school student Omer Asaf Kar, who led his classmates at Umraniye Mehmet Ali Yilmaz Primary School in protesting a vehicle from a company supporting Israel that had entered school grounds to deliver products.
Haci Fevzi Sener from Bursa received an award for his years of charitable activities, while Hasan Koc, an imam at Antalya Yuce Mosque, was recognized for his work supporting people with disabilities and producing gluten-free products for those with celiac disease and Down syndrome.
Dr. Gulhanim Bayrak, a pediatrician and mother of eight, was also honored, demonstrating that career success need not prevent raising a family. She dedicated her award to her father, who accompanied her on stage.
The ceremony also featured Loyalty Awards presented to Ikrime Sabri for his lifelong support of the Palestinian cause, and posthumously to master calligrapher Hasan Celebi, whose award was accepted by his son Mustafa. Celebi’s calligraphy adorns mosques throughout Türkiye and worldwide, and he trained nearly 100 certified students during his lifetime.
