--- title: Tarık Kesekçi slug: tarik-kesekci-b0d99 url: /detay/tarik-kesekci-b0d99 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Tarık Kesekçi type: biography categories: - name: Aviation And Space slug: havacilik-ve-uzay url: /kategori/havacilik-ve-uzay - name: Defense Industry Technologies slug: savunma-sanayi-teknolojileri url: /kategori/savunma-sanayi-teknolojileri - name: Biography And Autobiography slug: biyografi-ve-otobiyografi url: /kategori/biyografi-ve-otobiyografi tags: - Baykar - istanbul - Aircraft - engineer - Bursa - Nevşehir author: Gözde Cabadak created_at: 2026-06-03T17:50:11.141764+03:00 updated_at: 2026-06-03T17:50:11.141774+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/06/01/eRkPx1sP3NW1vjDQq1FqYaw9b7A52n5M.jpg --- # Tarık Kesekçi > Tarık Kesekçi is a Turkish engineer who was born in Nevşehir in 1995 and died in a traffic accident on the Bursa-Izmir highway while traveling to a camp organized by Genç İHH with three friends on 27 November 2021. ## KURE Information Cards ![448288748638.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/03/13/Jss1yc91aso8yYijHJJ6MSxEpPLhx6ti.jpg) *Tarık Kesekçi* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Profession(s) | Aerospace Systems Engineer | | Place of Birth | Nevşehir | | Date of Death | 27 November 2021 | | Year of Birth | 1995 | | Notable Projects | AKINCI UCAV | | Influential Figures | Selçuk Bayraktar,Necmettin Erbakan | ## Article Content 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] [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_czLtFg3mM) *His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi (İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation)* ### **Educational and Professional Career** 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] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/05/02/okB2LXiakXr7vuW82vThwhsbA8Wcqfrf.png) *Tarık Kesekçi (İHH)* ### **Professional Career and Role in National Technology Projects** 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](/en/detay/selcuk-bayraktar/llms.txt), 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](/en/detay/t3-vakfi/llms.txt)) and organizations such as [Teknofest](/en/detay/teknofest-16a06/llms.txt), guiding young people toward technology.[^3] ### Humanitarian Activities and Civil Society Work ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/03/13/VT9urshvv5q7ajlc4gq3jUvfngiYaRW2.jpg) *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] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/05/02/55XwTnJ2O3eYrdGaeBXWvAjuuHqQBeUt.jpg) *Tarık Kesekçi and Selçuk Bayraktar (İHH)* ### **Intellectual World, Ideals, and Influential Figures** 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] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/05/02/odRs7IVbcnbDy4TC07n3i9NuKdPnEIic.png) *Tarık Kesekçi and His Family (İHH)* ### **Personal Life and Family Structure** 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] ### **Death, Accident, and Condolences** 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](/en/detay/gencligin-yolculugu-milli-teknoloji-hamlesi-5efd7/llms.txt)” 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] ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan'dan Trafik Kazasında Vefat Eden Genç İHH Gönüllüleri İçin Taziye Telefonu." Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogandan-trafik-kazasinda-vefat-eden-genc-ihh-gonulluleri-icin-taziye-telefonu/2436242. 2. Anadolu Ajansı. “Bursa'da Otomobilin Tıra Çarpması Sonucu 4 Genç Hayatını Kaybetti.” Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/bursada-otomobilin-tira-carpmasi-sonucu-4-genc-hayatini-kaybetti/2432258 3. Anadolu Ajansı. “Bursa'daki Trafik Kazasında Vefat Eden Genç İHH Gönüllüleri Son Yolculuğuna Uğurlandı.” Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/bursadaki-trafik-kazasinda-vefat-eden-genc-ihh-gonulluleri-son-yolculuguna-ugurlandi/2432841. 4. Special Altınyıldız College. "ALTINYILDIZ YETİŞTİRİYOR, TÜRKİYE KAZANIYOR!" Accessed May 1, 2026. https://www.altinyildiz.k12.tr/haber/altinyildiz-yetistiriyor-turkiye-kazaniyor 5. X Social Media. "@BaykarTech." Accessed March 14, 2026. https://X.Com/Baykartech/Status/1464570680142405638 6. İHH Medya. “Tarık Kesekçi Biyografisi.” YouTube. Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isty0xyijda. 7. İHH İnsani Yardım Vakfı. “O Benim Dava Arkadaşımdır | Annesi, Tarık Kesekçi’yi Anlattı.” YouTube. Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_Czltfg3mm. ## Citations [^1]: Özel Altınyıldız Koleji. "ALTINYILDIZ YETİŞTİRİYOR, TÜRKİYE KAZANIYOR!" Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.altinyildiz.k12.tr/haber/altinyildiz-yetistiriyor-turkiye-kazaniyor [^2]: İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. "His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi." Youtube. Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_czLtFg3mM [^3]: İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. "His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi." Youtube. Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_czLtFg3mM [^4]: İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. "His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi." Youtube. Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_czLtFg3mM [^5]: İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. "His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi." Youtube. Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_czLtFg3mM [^6]: İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. "His Mother Describes Tarık Kesekçi." Youtube. Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9\_czLtFg3mM [^7]: Anadolu Agency. "Four young people died in Bursa after their car was hit by a truck." Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/bursada-otomobilin-tira-carpmasi-sonucu-4-genc-hayatini-kaybetti/2432258 [^8]: X Social Media. “@BaykarTech.” Access Date 1 May 2026. https://x.com/BaykarTech/status/1464570680142405638 [^9]: Anadolu Agency. "Four young people died in Bursa after their car was hit by a truck." Access Date 1 May 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/bursada-otomobilin-tira-carpmasi-sonucu-4-genc-hayatini-kaybetti/2432258