Call for unity marks Journalists and Writers Foundation iftar

The program began with poet İbrahim Sadri's recitation of a poem written by journalist Kerim Balcı titled “Hatırla” (Remember). Later, a film titled “The Common Language of Colors” was screened, in which Turkey's leading opinion leaders and intellectuals delivered messages of peace and tolerance.

Islamic scholar and the GYV’s honorary president, Fethullah Gülen, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, Turkish Jewish community leader Rabbi İshak Haleva, Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, Cerrahi order leader Ömer Tuğrul İnançer, Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoğlu and Edirne Roma Association head Erdinç Çekiç were among these figures.

The program continued with a speech delivered by GYV Chairman Mustafa Yeşil, who stressed that different colors managed to live together for centuries in the region in which Turkey is now located. Noting that efforts to make differences reasons for separatism, to replace “right” with “power” and to slander individuals with prejudices have been on the rise recently, Yeşil said, “The plans to deprive people of a common denominator, while the common denominator of being a human being is enough for everyone, shows how difficult our work is and how patient we need to be.”

Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı sat around the same table with religious leaders at the GYV iftar.

Among the guests at the iftar were: Haleva; spokesman for the leaders of Turkey’s Catholics, Georges Marovitch; Syrian Orthodox Archbishop Yusuf Çetin; singers Gönül Yazar, Selami Şahin, Mustafa Keser, Hakan Peker, Sibel Turnagöl and Ayşe Egesoy; pianist-composer Anjelika Akbar; Today’s Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bülent Keneş; Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı; journalists Mehmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak and Ergun Babahan; and former footballer Halan Şükür.

“Is there anything more important in this world other than being together with people regardless of their religion and language? I think this iftar is very important from this perspective and I also think that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan also takes individuals to a higher spiritual level. It is very important to understand Ramadan well,” Akbar said.

İstanbul Mufti Mustafa Çağrıcı also praised the GYV’s event. “The GYV is doing very good things without questioning people’s religion, language and identity. I hope these efforts will continue because our world needs them very much,” he said.

Actress Sibel Turnagöl (C) was also among the participants of the GYV iftar, held at the Conrad Hotel.

Stating that it was an honor for him to break his fast at such a meaningful night, Şahin said he is from Antakya, a place where people with different religious beliefs peacefully coexist. “I was born a humanist. This is a very beautiful and meaningful night,” he said.

Şükür also stressed that he was honored to be at the GYV’s event. “There are lots of things that Ramadan grants us. We can look at life in a more mild-mannered way during Ramadan. We can be more tolerant and empathetic. We will continue to gather around these tables although we have differing opinions. This should be the common language of the colors,” he said.

Sadri said he believes that all the guests at the iftar are prepared to do whatever falls on them to promote the culture of living together in peace in Turkey. “The GYV is among leading civil society groups who could contribute this unity,” he said.

Poet Ayşe Egesoy (L), Joost Lagendijk, a senior adviser at the İstanbul Policy Center of Sabancı University, was among the participants of the GYV iftar on Tuesday.

Founded in 1994, the GYV has two main principles: respecting differences and coming together. In addition to respecting differences and promoting dialogue, the foundation also works to enhance the culture of living together. It is also interested in the issues that concern journalists. İstanbul Today’s Zaman