NATO head breaks bread to reach out to Muslims

Attending an iftar (fast-breaking dinner), Anders Fogh Rasmussen conveyed his message stressing dialogue and understanding to a mostly Muslim audience. “I have the deepest respect for people's religious feelings,” he said.

“Please see my presence here tonight as a clear manifestation of my respect for Islam as one of the world's greatest religions,” Rasmussen said, drawing a big round of applause from the audience, some of whom were diplomats from Muslim countries. Rasmussen became secretary-general on Aug. 1 after Turkey withdrew its objections to his candidacy. Ankara initially opposed his bid because, as Denmark's prime minister, he infuriated many Muslims following the publication in 2005 of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Though he distanced himself from the cartoons, he nevertheless resisted calls to apologize for them, citing freedom of speech.

At the time, Turkish leaders said the choice would antagonize Afghanistan and Pakistan, both predominantly Muslim countries. Turkey later dropped its objection after being given assurances that Rasmussen would reach out to the Muslim world and appoint a Turkish general as a deputy in the NATO command structure.

Ankara touted the idea of the NATO secretary-general attending an iftar as a symbolic and important gesture to improve the alliance's relations with the Muslim world. The traditional annual dinner, organized by the Ankara provincial branch of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) every year, was advanced to an earlier date to accommodate his arrival in Ankara, sources told Today's Zaman. “We were asked to make arrangements for him from the office of the Prime Ministry,” a party official, who requested to remain anonymous, said.

Rasmussen seized the opportunity to convey his respect of religious sensitivities and his willingness to seek reconciliation with the Muslim world. He also said his visit to Turkey, the only Muslim member of the alliance and the country with the largest military force in Europe, in the first days of his mandate was a sign of the importance he attached to Turkey as a NATO ally. He also emphasized Turkey's bridging role between Europe, the Arab world and the Middle East.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who hosted the dinner, used the occasion to criticize terrorist acts carried out in the name of Islam, urge greater respect for Muslims in the West and push for Turkey's EU membership. "If the European Union desires to be a global actor, the home for an alliance of civilizations, then Turkey must take its place within the union," he said.

He lambasted countries opposing Turkey's EU membership and said, “It is unacceptable to have this issue exploited for political purposes in some countries.” France and Germany, the two heavyweights in the bloc, staunchly oppose Turkey's candidacy. Rasmussen warned that the EU cannot be a global player without Turkey being on board as a full-fledged member. Stressing that Turkey is located in an important region where East meets West, Erdoğan said he believes everyone can agree on a common point after removing historical misunderstandings and prejudices. “We should strive to understand each other better,” he said.

Frustrated with its attempts to join the EU, Turkey does not allow formal relations to be established between NATO and the EU because it was not represented in the latter's decision-making bodies. As such, NATO cannot provide services to the EU unless Turkey agrees. The issue has caused concerns in Afghanistan for EU trainers as Turkey has blocked NATO from providing security to them. "At the end of the day, the lack of security agreements might put our personnel on the ground at risk. … It is a subject of real concern to me," Rasmussen said.

Fight against terrorism

Erdoğan asked Rasmussen to help Turkey fight terrorism using the power and influence of his position in the alliance. He said Rasmussen promised to do everything in his power to support Turkey in dealing with terrorism on international platforms. “Turkey, growing in peace, security and stability, will be an important player in peace and welfare not only for itself and the region but for Europe as well,” he underlined.

Praising Rasmussen as a well-respected and well-recognized leader in Europe who has served three terms as the prime minister of the Danish government and one with close ties with many leaders of the continent, Erdoğan said the NATO boss will play a significant role in boosting international support for the war on terror in Turkey. Erdoğan also promised Turkey, which has been a member of the bloc for over 57 years, will continue to contribute to the alliance, signaling Ankara may very well boost its troop presence in Afghanistan.

Islam rejects terrorism

Recalling that Turkey launched the UN-sponsored “Alliance of Civilizations” project in cooperation with Spain, he said the attention this endeavor received from the world is testament to the importance of its mission. Noting that the word “Islam” means “peace,” Erdoğan said it is simply unacceptable to associate the term with terrorism. “Our religion condemns terrorism and violence,” he said, reciting a verse from the Quran which reads: “…if any one slew a person … it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (5:32) Erdoğan said all divine religions, including Christianity and Judaism, abhor violence and revere the “right to life” over everything.

The dinner was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Interior Minister Beşir Atalay, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül, AK Party Deputy Chairman Abdülkadir Aksu and Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek.