Sambi, who attended the Organization of the Islamic Conference’s (OIC) Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) meeting in İstanbul, communicated his request for the opening of Turkish schools in Comoros to President Abdullah Gül, noting that Turkey needs to promote its language and culture across Africa.Sambi, who visited the Zaman Media Group’s headquarters in İstanbul, said he would like Turkey to increase the number of scholarships it gives to Comorian students from six to 50. “If you don’t come, others will,” Sambi said, asking Turkey to provide simple construction equipment that can be used to make bricks. Noting that the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) has promised to supply his country 200 manually operated brick-making machines, the Comorian president said he believes the homes that will be built with the bricks will lead to a major transformation in his country. According to Sambi, living in cage-like homes made from bamboo have caused Comorians to develop a “cage mentality,” and the only way to help them escape this inferiority complex is by building simple but modern homes. Noting that while Comoros is a poor country, it hosts one of the most beautiful coasts in Africa and has a huge potential to attract tourists, Sambi called on Turkish businessmen to invest in his country.
The visiting president said people should consider the idea of launching a “dollar from every Muslim” campaign, which he mentioned during the COMCEC meeting. “Muslims like charity, and they like to help when there is a good deed. Poorer ones tend to be more gracious. An aid fund that will be created by receiving $1 from every Muslim once a year could solve most of the problems in Muslim countries,” Sambi said, noting that with its established civil society and solidarity organizations Turkey could set an example in this field for the Muslim world.
