Day: September 23, 2023

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has highlighted the rising levels of xenophobia and racism in Europe, expressing concern over what he described as "an epidemic of attacks against our holy book."

Fidan addressed the press on Saturday at the Turkish House in New York after the 78th UN General Assembly.

Saying that the world is witnessing lasting change in a way that peace, stability and consciousness dominate, the Turkish top diplomat pointed out that the Muslim world's unity should be strengthened to ensure this change.

"A visionary initiative like the Alliance of Civilization should be maintained without losing its function," he said.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) was established in 2005 through the collaborative efforts of Türkiye and Spain, operating under the auspices of the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and the High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Miguel Angel Moratinos, during the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, with discussions focused on addressing Islamophobic actions.

Fidan commented on the significance of these meetings, stating, "The Islamophobic actions were on the agenda of both meetings that we organised."

'Fight against hate-driven mindset on all possible platforms'

Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning a recent attack targeting the Quran in front of the embassies of some member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, including the Turkish Embassy in the Hague, the Netherlands.

"We deplore the provocative nature of these attacks, aimed at demeaning our religion and believers, and we call attention to the alarming spread of such provocations in European countries, often under the guise of freedom of expression," the statement said.

The leader of PEGIDA, an Islamophobic group, once again tore down a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in front of the Turkish Embassy in the Netherlands on Saturday.

Tearing down more copies of the Quran outside the embassies of Pakistan, Indonesia, and Denmark in the Hague, Edwin Wagensveld also insulted Islam and Muslims.

During the incident which took place in front of the Turkish Embassy, he also stepped on the pages of the Quran.

The Turkish ministry called for immediate action in response to the recent disturbing events and urged the countries where these attacks occurred to take effective measures against this growing menace, which the United Nations recognises as religious hatred and a clear violation of international law.

"We call on the Dutch authorities to take the necessary measures against the perpetrators and to prevent the recurrence of such abhorrent incidents," statement added.

"Türkiye will continue its determined fight against this unhealthy and hate-driven mindset on all possible platforms," it said.

Source: TRTworld.com

The World Cultures Festival 2023, organised with the participation of 55 embassies and the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), is held at the Cermodern Culture Center in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, who attended the festival's opening on Friday, organised by the Ebrisem and Sirus Foundation, visited the stands of different countries and said the celebrations are not only platforms that bring together the richness of other cultures but also are symbols of friendship and cooperation.

"In this year's festival, gastronomy, dance, fashion, music and branches of art that reflect their history with their unique features will find their place here as a reflection of our cultural diversity," he said.

'Nations show their love'

South Korea's Ambassador to Ankara, Lee Won-Ik, said the World Cultures Festival is a very meaningful event.

Iran's Ambassador to Ankara, Muhammed Hasan Habibullahzade, said the festival is an event where nations show their love and appreciation for each other.

"This festival, where world cultures come together, is the basis for getting to know cultures and people better and for people to have more respect and love for each other," he said.

Arab League Türkiye Representative Ambassador Abdulhamid Hamza pointed out that the festival is not just a celebration of art, music, dance and traditions. "Every rhythm we danced today, every song we sang, every food we tasted tells a unique story," he said.

Ambassador Korhan Karakoc, general director of Global and Humanitarian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said this year's festival coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye and is very valuable and meaningful.

Sirus Foundation President Serap Gürkan Firdevsi said 30 embassies, including at least three to four countries from each continent, participated in the festival, which was held for the first time last year, and this year, 55 countries, including eight to 10 from each continent participated.

Following speeches, traditional dance performances from South Korea and the UAE were performed.

World Cultures Festival 2023

The festival program, which consists of public and free events, includes traditional dances from 55 countries, music recitals and concerts, clothing fashion shows, art workshops, gastronomy workshops, traditional food offerings, cultural interviews, national promotional videos, films, competitions and raffle programs.

The festival, which was held under the theme: "100th Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye and Gordion," also included a painting exhibition consisting of the personal works of Mehmet Gunay, Deputy General Director of Foreign Promotion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various antiques from the personal collection of Osman Ilhan Sener, Deputy General Director of Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are also works about archery, a traditional Turkish sport.

The event, which started Friday and is free to attend, will continue Saturday.

Source: TRTworld.com

Iraq's Turkmen community has welcomed a directive by the Kirkuk governor to include their dialect as an official language. Many people say this will help further promote their rights. TRT World's Hasan Abdullah reports.

Source: TRTworld.com

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Friday that Bangladesh will continue efforts to fight for the rights of Palestinians as she touched on the anniversary of the Nakba.

"It is worrying that the rights of the Palestinians are not fulfilled," said Hasina, referring to the 75th commemoration of the Nakba, when Israel declared its independence in occupied Palestinian lands in 1948 and forced Palestinians to migrate.

Her remarks came in an address to the 78th UN General Assembly where she said Bangladesh is willing to ensure global peace and security by participating in UN peacekeeping operations. She noted that 188,000 Bangladeshi, including women, served in 55 operations in 40 countries.

Bangladesh has a "zero tolerance policy against terrorism and violent extremism," said Hasina. "Behaviors that disrupt social harmony and the peaceful co-existence of people of different beliefs are serious crimes."

The Rakhine people 'want to return to their country and live there in peace'

Hasina also noted Rohingya immigrants and drew attention to the sixth years since immigrants had to leave their homes and countries.

"The displaced Arakanese want to return to their country and live there in peace," she said.

Pointing to the seriousness of the climate crisis, Hasina said Bangladesh is "one of the most vulnerable countries" in terms of climate in the world.

She pointed out that the global crises that have been going on for the last few years have increased the prices of food, energy and commercial products, and expressed her gratitude to UN chief Antonio Guterres for the Food, Energy and Finance Global Crisis Response Group he established in 2022 to respond to those crises around the world.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Vietnam said Friday that Southeast Asia has "emerged as a region of solidarity and cooperation," while noting that the world is facing 'intense geopolitical tensions' not seen since the Cold War days.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has 'affirmed its centrality' in maintaining peace and prosperity in the region as he addressed the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York and urged "restraint" in the disputed South China Sea.

Pham said Vietnam is committed to working with countries 'within and outside the region to safeguard peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international law and 1982 UNCLOS.'

Without naming, he said: 'It is also necessary to exercise restraint and refrain from unilateral actions and address disputed and differences by peaceful means, including diplomatic and legal processes.'

Notably, the warm waters of the South China Sea have witnessed hot disputes between China and ASEAN members.

Hanoi and Beijing also have overlapping maritime claims in the disputed waters.

China has pushed back the passage of warships and reconnaissance flights by the US and her allies in and above the South China Sea.

Source: Anadolu Agency