--- title: Mustafa Cambaz slug: mustafa-cambaz-dc4bf url: /detay/mustafa-cambaz-dc4bf type: biography language: English entity: primary: Mustafa Cambaz type: biography categories: - name: Digital Arts slug: dijital-sanatlar url: /kategori/dijital-sanatlar - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: Painting, Sculpture And Photography slug: resim-heykel-ve-fotografcilik url: /kategori/resim-heykel-ve-fotografcilik tags: - Western Thrace - Mustafa Cambaz - Struggle for Democracy - 15 July - Photography - Martyrdom author: Seher Yıldız Külünk created_at: 2025-12-01T10:17:55.738164+03:00 updated_at: 2025-12-01T10:17:55.738180+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/12/7XV3elHKSmh2aeUwZHnamdolDhK5COUH.jpg --- # Mustafa Cambaz > Mustafa Cambaz is a photo journalist known for his photographs of historical works and was martyred in the coup attempt on July 15, 2016. ## KURE Information Cards ![001-Mustafa-Cambaz-Foto.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/12/AcyTueQSJnKtmAkgaWsJSvxFxwdjkRS2.png) *Mustafa Cambaz* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Doğum tarihi | 1963-11-18 | | Place of Birth | Gümülcine, Greece | | Institution Worked at | Yeni Şafak Newspaper | | Marital Status | Married | | Number of Children | 1 | | Profession(s) | Journalist | | Ölüm tarihi | 2016-07-15 | | Place of Death | Çengelköy | ## Article Content **Mustafa Cambaz** was born on 18 November 1963 in the village of Menetler, in the Gümülcine province of Greece. Cambaz, who came from a [Western Thrace](/en/detay/western-thrace-republic-4d275/llms.txt) Turkish family, spent his childhood and youth in this region. Like many Western Thrace Turks living in Greece, he was expected to fulfill compulsory military service. However, Cambaz refused military service, deciding to leave his village and country with the statement, “I will not serve in the Greek army.” He migrated to Türkiye and settled in Istanbul, where he began building a new life. During this period, his sense of patriotism deepened further. ### **Interest in Photography and Professional Development** After moving to Istanbul, [Mustafa Cambaz](/en/detay/mustafa-cambaz-c8fed/llms.txt) discovered his passion for photography and developed his skills in the field. He viewed photography not merely as a profession but also as a cultural responsibility. He became a documentarian of Türkiye’s historical monuments, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. He worked as a photojournalist for the newspaper Yeni Şafak. Throughout his journalistic career, the photographs he took played a vital role in preserving and promoting Türkiye’s cultural heritage. His photographic archives became a valuable resource for art historians and academics. The archive he created emerged as an important cultural legacy. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZ12ZI4LcA) *The Life Story of Martyr Mustafa Cambaz (Yeni Şafak)* ### **The Night of 15 July** On [15 July](/en/detay/15-temmuz-demokrasi-ve-milli-birlik-gunu-e2426/llms.txt) 2016, Türkiye faced a coup attempt by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). On this critical night, Mustafa Cambaz responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call and took to the streets of Çengelköy, Istanbul. He resolved to resist alongside the people against the coup soldiers. His social media message, “We are taking to the streets at the request and order of our Commander-in-Chief Erdoğan,” symbolized his unwavering loyalty to democracy and the nation. That night, he was fatally shot in the chest by gunfire from the coup forces and became a martyr. ### **Martyrdom and Aftermath** After his martyrdom during the [15 July coup attempt](/en/detay/july-15-coup-attempt-a2712/llms.txt), Mustafa Cambaz was officially recognized as a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye. He was remembered across the country with respect and gratitude. Various commemorative ceremonies were held in his name, and his memory was kept alive through photography competitions and cultural events. His grave in Çengelköy is visited by citizens. ### **Legacy and Memory** Mustafa Cambaz is remembered as one of the democratic heroes of his time. The archive he left behind through photography holds a significant place in the preservation of Türkiye’s cultural and historical heritage. Events, photography competitions, and commemorative ceremonies held in his name continue to honor his memory. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/12/SKkpXEDTBjX39rcjCqVSRAPhUkiIOVO4.jpg) *4th Martyr Mustafa Cambaz Photography Competition Award Ceremony (AA)* ## Academic Sources and References 7. https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/15-temmuz-sehidi-mustafa-cambaz-kimdir-3549143 8. Anadolu Ajansı. "Yeni Şafak Gazetesi Çalışanı Çengelköy’de Hayatını Kaybetti." Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/yeni-safak-gazetesi-calisani-cengelkoyde-hayatini-kaybetti/608643 9. Anadolu Ajansı. "Şehit Mustafa Cambaz 3. Fotoğraf Yarışması'nın Ödülleri Sahiplerini Buldu." Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/sehit-mustafa-cambaz-3-fotograf-yarismasinin-odulleri-sahiplerini-buldu/3274619 10. Cambaz, Mustafa. “Hakkımda.” Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.mustafacambaz.com/hakkimda.php?sessionid=qtkujpbd5clb9v1plntr1ikfj6 11. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. “Mustafa Cambaz.” \*15 July Digital Archive\*. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/mustafa-cambaz/biyografi 12. Yeni Şafak YouTube Channel. "Şehit Mustafa Cambaz’ın mücadeleyle dolu yaşam öyküsü." Accessed August 12, 2025. https://youtu.be/3eZ12ZI4LcA?si=Tlwe2rFOFb84jqoP. 13. Yeni Şafak. "15 Temmuz Şehidi Mustafa Cambaz Kimdir?" Yeni Şafak. Accessed August 12, 2025.