Meeting of Civilizations: From Hatay to Brussels

There are representatives of both hate and love in the world…

Anatolia, the home of love, is currently hosting a meeting of civilizations. The meeting, which started in Hatay three days ago, will end tomorrow. As far as I can remember, the Foundation of Journalists and Writers organized a meeting entitled, “Inter-religions peace in the light of Prophet Abraham,” in Mardin last year. The meeting brought together different cultures and civilizations which originated from religions in this refined Anatolian city.

Messages delivered during the Hatay meeting are remarkable. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his opening address, “I declare Islamic phobia a crime against humanity in the same way we accept anti-Semitism as a crime against humanity.” He had also expressed the same idea at international platforms before. Prejudices against Islam are at incredible levels in the West, Muslims are treated as potential terrorists. This deep difference between the essence of Islam and its image should be removed. Turkey might undertake such a mission in the international area.

Rabbi Izak Haleva, the chief rabbi of the Jews in Turkey, made a touching speech in Hatay which received favorable reactions. The Jewish cleric’s criticism resonated in his words: “Civilizations spend $100 million per hour on military expenditures. That is to say on tanks and bullets. If this is what they call civilization, I have already given up on being civilized. I am shamed of such a civilization.” The Israeli government that caused the carnage in Gaza a few days ago should have heard this.

There are also some who are bothered by the meetings of civilization in Turkey. Naturally, there are some who react harshly against such meetings. We often come across those who produce fear scenarios, by manipulating the concepts of dialogue, in this country. One who trusts civilization, never fears a counter-civilization. One who believes in his/her religion, never panics over the activities of other belief systems. Rather, he/she does what is necessary; cares for his/her religion and civilization more than ever and exerts all efforts to better express his/her beliefs everywhere.

Following the footsteps of the Ottoman Empire, different belief groups have the right to live on these lands. Anatolia can host meetings of different civilizations with its profound tolerance. The gatherings during the First Hatay Meeting of Civilizations are open to comments. However, the real civilization test is the one Europe is facing these days. I wonder whether the European Union (EU) will be able to make civilizations meet, by letting in Turkey that is knocking on its doors.

I remember a statement by Britain’s minister for Europe: An expanded Europe, including Turkey, will refute views that perceive the clash of civilizations as inevitable.

There are just a few days before October 3. The countdown is continuing. Whether or not Turkey will start full membership negotiations with the EU will be determined next week. The course of the negotiations, that will be held over a long period of time, will become evident, one way or the other. The signs before October 3 are not giving much hope. Europe tends to be acting with its previous prejudices. It seems to be displaying an attitude that is far from making civilizations meet.

Europe’s policy of keeping Turkey at a certain distance, is as if its mistrust of civilizations is already obvious. A Turco-Islamic phobia has gripped Europe. The Turkey phobia in Europe is greater than the Europe phobia of some circles in Turkey. Europe’s decision on Turkey will determine the Union’s destiny and future. Will the Old Europe be able to pass the civilization test? We will see very soon…