Eskişehir witnessed a deeply emotional and unforgettable day as 10-year-old Eyüphan Sevim, the son of martyred Police Officer Ali Sevim, celebrated his circumcision ceremony. In a poignant tribute that blended state support with personal memory, an armored police vehicle—a TOMA (Tactical Intervention Vehicle)—bearing his father’s name was specially designated and used as the official circumcision car for the young boy.
The touching event brought together members of the local community, law enforcement officials, and civil society representatives to honor the memory of the fallen officer while celebrating a major milestone in his son’s life.
Police Officer Ali Sevim was tragically martyred in 2017 during a terrorist bomb attack in the Sur district of Diyarbakır while serving his country. His sacrifice left behind a grieving family and a young community deeply touched by his service. Years later, his son Eyüphan grew up with the dream of a traditional circumcision celebration, culminating in today’s extraordinary event in Eskişehir.
The morning of the celebration was marked by a unique and stirring convoy. Led by the TOMA vehicle named after the fallen officer and closely escorted by numerous police teams, the festive procession made its way through the streets of Eskişehir toward the wedding and celebration hall. The unusual sight of the heavily armored vehicle decorated for a joyous family celebration drew the attention of local residents, creating a poignant contrast that highlighted both the solemnity of the sacrifice and the joy of the present moment.
"I Have Cried for 9 Years, But Today I Will Not Cry for My Son"
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, the emotional weight of the day was profoundly felt by the martyr’s family. Mother Demet Sevim shared her raw and heartfelt emotions with those in attendance, capturing the complex feelings that defined the occasion.
"Believe me, I am experiencing indescribable emotions right now. Joy, sorrow, pride—they are all here together," Demet Sevim expressed. "Today, I am standing for my child, I have lived for him. We are so proud of his father, and I am certain that he is watching us and feeling this from above. Eyüphan wanted this circumcision ceremony so much, and it was destined for today. We have been waiting for this day for a long time."
Struggling to hold back her tears, she thanked everyone who stood by their side and offered unwavering support throughout the years.
"I want to thank everyone who came here and did not withhold their support. My throat is tight with emotion, but today I will not cry for my son. I have cried for nine years, but today I will not cry for him," she said, emphasizing her resolve to make the day entirely about her son’s happiness.
Young Eyüphan Sevim, reflecting on the milestone event that marked his tenth year, shared his excitement over the unique arrangements made for his special day.
"My ten-year-old dream is coming true today," Eyüphan said. "First of all, I want to thank the police department so much for accepting the TOMA as my circumcision car. And from here, I also want to thank my father."
"We Want to Cover His Education Expenses Until University"
The community and local organizations rallied around the Sevim family, ensuring that the young boy felt the backing of a caring society. Among them was Oğuz Sinlenmez, a representative of the Eskişehir Young Businessmen Association (ESMİAD), who took the opportunity to announce a significant long-term commitment to the martyr’s family.
"We are very happy about this day. We have celebrated Eyüphan’s circumcision, and now we want to give him some good news: we want to cover his education expenses all the way until university," Sinlenmez stated. "May God protect our state. We are a very great nation, and we are a very great state. We will continue to stand by his side from now on."
Orhan Bayrak, the Provincial Director of Family and Social Services, also shared his thoughts on the collaborative effort that brought the touching celebration to life. He emphasized the close relationship maintained by the directorate with all families of martyrs residing in the region.
"Eskişehir is a very beautiful and large province. As the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, we are in very close contact with all our martyr relatives," Bayrak said. "When we received the information that Eyüphan had such a wish, a request, and a dream, we conveyed this request to ESMİAD, an organization we deeply value from the civil society sector."
Expressing his satisfaction with the outcome, Bayrak added, "I believe from the bottom of my heart that this turned out to be a very pleasant and wonderful organization together. I would like to express my gratitude to the management of ESMİAD, especially its president, to our Provincial Directorate of Security, and to everyone who contributed. Eyüphan’s happy face is worth everything."
