Tarık Kesekçi (b. 1995, Nevşehir); Turkish engineer. He completed his primary, middle, and high school education at Altınyıldız Koleji, then graduated from the Aeronautical Engineering Department of Istanbul Technical University, while also completing his studies in the Theology Department through the Faculty of Open Education.^【1】

Tarık Kesekçi began his education in Nevşehir and demonstrated an early inclination toward reading and scientific research. He was awarded for his achievements in Quran recitation during primary school and simultaneously pursued both academic and religious education throughout high school. While in the second year of high school, he undertook an Umrah pilgrimage with his family, during which his interest in religious texts and Islamic sciences deepened. During university, he traveled to Jordan to enhance his language skills and received advanced Arabic instruction. Following his studies in Jordan, he focused intensively on memorizing the Quran and developed technical proficiency in this field. Throughout his education, he did not limit himself to theoretical knowledge but sought to expand his intellectual accumulation by spending time in libraries and academic forums.^【2】

^{Tarık Kesekçi} (İHH)

After completing his university education, Kesekçi entered the aerospace and defense industry, beginning his career as an aircraft engineer at Baykar. He assumed technical responsibilities in the AKINCI Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) project and endured intensive development periods. He was appointed team leader, coordinating the engineers and technicians under his supervision. He maintained a close professional relationship with Selçuk Bayraktar, working long hours to ensure the successful completion of Türkiye’s strategic technology projects. In addition to his professional duties, he actively participated in initiatives by the Türkiye Technology Foundation (T3 Foundation) and organizations such as Teknofest, guiding young people toward technology.^【3】

^{Tarık Kesekçi in a Humanitarian Activity} (İHH)

Tarık Kesekçi’s civil society engagement began during his university years at İHH logistics centers in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district, where he volunteered in operational tasks such as sorting and logistics of aid supplies. He applied his advanced Arabic skills to humanitarian work, serving as a volunteer interpreter for refugees in Nevşehir during medical and legal procedures. He regularly participated in social activities and camps organized by İHH in Nevşehir, personally visiting needy refugee families to assist with childcare and food provision. He also served as an instructor in technology education programs for high school students organized by Genç İHH and contributed to developing their curriculum.^【4】

^{Tarık Kesekçi and Selçuk Bayraktar} (İHH)

Two key figures shaped Tarık Kesekçi’s intellectual worldview: Necmettin Erbakan and Selçuk Bayraktar. He regarded Erbakan’s heavy industry initiative and ideals of Islamic unity as historical references, and similarly looked to Selçuk Bayraktar as a model. He built his philosophy of life upon patriotism and the development of the Islamic world (ummah), grounding his work in these two core motivations.^【5】

^{Tarık Kesekçi and His Family} (İHH)

A member of a family from Nevşehir, Kesekçi demonstrated responsibility and balance in family relationships. He was married to Cansu Kesekçi and was the father of a son named Hamza.^【6】

On 27 November 2021, Tarık Kesekçi was traveling to a technology camp for high school students in Bursa, organized by Genç İHH, when he died in a traffic accident on the Selçukgazi Viaduct of the Istanbul-Bursa-Izmir Motorway at the age of 26. In the crash, caused by a truck colliding from behind with the vehicle driven by Muratcan Kaya, Kesekçi, along with Kaan Talip Tığlı, Muratcan Kaya, and Yusuf Taha Göktaş, lost their lives.^【7】Following his death, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Bülent Yıldırım, President of İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, to express condolences. Baykar^【8】, the T3 Foundation, and İHH issued official statements highlighting Kesekçi’s service to the “National Technology Initiative” and his humanitarian efforts. After his funeral, memorial prayers were held in absentia in various regions of the world, beginning with Gaza, and commemorative programs were organized.^【9】