Deputy Prime Minister: “There are no minorities, everyone is a citizen”

Last Thursday evening, Minority Foundations held an Iftar Dinner at Istanbul MAREV (Mardin Education and Research Center). 

This year, at the traditional Iftar Dinner hosted every year by Minority Foundations, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak, AKP Deputy Chairperson Mehdi Eker, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeus, Armenian Patriarch’s Locum Tenens Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan, Chief Rabbi of Turkish Jews Rav Isak Haleva, The Syrian Orthodox Patriarch’s Locum Tenens Yusuf Cetin, Beyoglu Syrian Kadim Church Foundation President Sait Susin were among the guests. 

After breaking the fast, key guests gave speeches highlighting the fact that different faiths are the source of cultural wealth and everyone in this country, regardless of their faith, are Turkish citizens. 

 This land is our common land 

Deputy Prime Minister said, “I can never accept the classification of citizens as minority or majority. There are no minorities in Turkey. Everyone is a first- class original citizen. We have to use the term minority due to reasons based on Treaty of Lausanne. This land is our common land. This flag is our common flag. On this land, there is enough space for all of us. We will never allow hate crimes. We are all children of this land, this country.  God willing, we will overcome all your problems together. On July 15th, you kept this country, this flag, this government tall. I am hoping that this unity will continue until the end of time. “ 

 Compassion instead of hate, tolerance instead of violence 

AKP Deputy Chairperson Mehdi Eker said, “The essence of all Monotheistic religions is the same, their values are common. The common point of the messages conveyed to people by Prophets Jesus, Moses or Muhammad is ‘compassion’. Therefore, we must improve ourselves and put forth compassion instead of hate, tolerance instead of violence and understand one another. We as AK Party have always put the importance of living together, upfront.’’

Related Newsss ss

28 March

Democrat Party (DP) Visited Şalom

18 March

Moris Karmona Declared War On Bullying With His Book "Morhis"

Moris Karmona´s book "Morhis" in which he wrote his life story, has been published.

1 March

82nd Anniversary of the Struma Disaster

The Struma Immigration Ship had sailed from Constanza, Romania to take the Jews desperate to run from the Nazis to today´s Israel, and was sunk by a torpedo from a Russian submarine after anchoring off the coast of Istanbul for weeks.

26 February

Jenisya Yaeş Came First in the 16th National Young Soloist Competition

Soprano Jenisya Yaeş, who is studying at the Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory, Opera Art Major Undergraduate 3rd grade, has been deemed worthy of first place in the University Category of the 16th National Young Soloist Competition.

19 February

Are You Ready for the Adventures of "Penga and Menga"?

Penga and Menga are two penguins who live far away from our country and are different from each other as day and night. What unites them is their adherence to their Jewish identity and traditions. It is a heartwarming story that narrates the harmony of differences and the friendship that arises from this harmony. The creators of the characters Penga and Menga are Vivet Pitelon Sparkes and her son Jim Sparkes. Also, the illustrations in the "Holidays" series (consisting of 11 books) designed for children, belong to both of them. The stories are written and translated into English (from Turkish) by Vivet.

13 February

Şalom Now on Mobile App

Şalom´s mobile application has been launched on IOS and Android platforms.

8 February

The Great Loss of Turkish Literature

Mario Levi, the great author who had contributed many important works to Turkish literature, passed away. The famous author was bid farewell on his last journey on Thursday, February 1st, with a ceremony held along with his loved ones at the Acibadem Jewish Cemetery.

18 January

Sending Departed Hanri Benazus Off On His Last Journey

16 January

Hanri Benazus Has Passed Away

The investigative writer and businessman Hanri Benazus who owned the largest Atatürk photography collection in Turkey, passed away at 94.

9 January

UÖMO Middle School Students´ Success in the Innovation Competition

Ulus Jewish Schools Middle School´s young tech geniuses achieved great success in the 10th Başahşehir Living Lab Innovation Competition. In the competition where 220 projects from all over Turkey have competed with the "Innovative ideas are competing" motto, UÖMO students, standing out from their rivals with their "Natural Disaster Kit", came third in the middle school category.