“We want peace across the world. When peace is achieved, Islamophobia will naturally decline. If we properly address the challenges facing the Muslim world, we can also find solutions to them. Today, bloodshed and suffering continue in many parts of the world; from Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon to East Turkestan and Arakan. But we will not give up. We will continue this struggle through knowledge and reason.”
These remarks were made by Bülent Yıldırım during the 5th International Islamic Culture and Civilization Symposium.
The international symposium, held in the Turkish city of Kocaeli, was jointly organized by the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Kocaeli University, and the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. This year’s theme focused on “Muslim Minorities.”
The opening address was delivered by Tahir Büyükakın, who emphasized that the issue of Muslim minorities should not be viewed solely through a religious lens.
“Above all, this is a matter of fear and hatred,” he said. “It also has social and economic dimensions, which means it must be understood from multiple perspectives. It is an interdisciplinary issue.”
He added that justice should remain the central principle in discussions concerning minority communities.
This symposium aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Muslim minorities around the world while encouraging a shared academic perspective. Experts, community leaders, and representatives from 14 countries are participating in the three-day event.
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