Dr. Jacqueline Casale Taylor Basker

Furkan Dogan, 19 

Subtitle

The youngest volunteer killed on the Mavi Marmara on May 31, 2010 was 19-year-old FurkanDoğan, who had dual American-Turkish citizenship.  He was shot five times from less that 45cm: in the face, in the back of the head, twice in the leg and once in the back, according to the autopsy report.

Furkan, a student at Kayserl High School, wanted to become a doctor.  He was born in New York on October 20, 1991. His father, Dr. Ahmet Doğan, is an Associate Professor at Ercyles University.  He was writing on a piece of paper at the time of the attack: 

“Last hours before martyrdom. Is there anything sweeter? If there is, that is only my mother. But I am not sure about that either. It is hard to compare the two. Martyrdom or my mother? The hall is empty now. An atmosphere of solemnity has taken over everyone for the first time…”

His weapon was his pen and paper.  His father said he had no regrets, for his child sacrificed his life for the sake of charity and the good.  

A photograph taken at the moment of Furkan’s death posted on the Internet was the basis for this painting.  One could see an Israeli soldier and his gun, but Furkan was in dark shadow.  As the photo was lightened to attempt to see Furkan’s figure, a bearded face appeared next to the spot where Furkan’s body would be.  Moses? Mohammed? Jesus?  The face had the look of a prophet, so it was painted into his portrait.

Type your paragraph here.Ğǧ