TIMETURK / NEWS CENTER

 Regarding the recent Anti-Islamist events occurred in Europe,The Secretary General of UNIW, Necmi Sadıkoğlu, has released a statement. Here is his statement: 

The Secretary General of UNIW, Necmi Sadıkoğlu

"The trend of Anti-Islamism, which was initiated by the publication of some humiliating caricatures about Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Denmark and in some other European countries, has gained momentum recently. In March, extremest right-wing politician Geert Wilder’s film “Fitna”, which heavily included insults to the Holy Qur’an and to the Islamic values, was demanded by some to be broadcast in Dutch TV channels; but it was rejected. However, it was broadcast on internet sites, which was received by Muslims with grief.

According to the news in the media, on April 20, a cartoon film that includes insults to Prophet Muhammad shall be put on the market in the Netherlands. Besides, in Germany, an adaptation of the book “The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie was put on the stage. Permissing such attempts and allowing them provokes marginal circles. Thus, a 17-year-old Turkish boy was killed by an extreme-racist group.

Such newly attempts that shall do harm world peace have no humanistic reasons. Humiliation of the values that are held in high esteem by people cannot be justified by the freedom of speech or copyright or sense of art. Freedom of speech and disseminating ideas do not amount to the right to insult. It cannot be expected from anyone to receive the humiliation of sacred values indulgently.

In this context, at first the Dutch Government and all the European governments should not give permisson to such publications, broadcasts and policies; and they should immediately take the necessary regulations that shall regard the Islamophobic acts and incidents as a crime. Broadcasts, attidutes and policies that may instigate Anti-Islamism or Islamophobia should be considered crime like Anti-Semitism. Otherwise, marginal extremist-racist groups that are after discrimination may be strengthened.

This poses a danger to the social stability and peace. Islamophobia is an obvious infringement of human rights and is a perilous discrimination.
In spite of these facts, this should be born in the mind that the reason why Muslim public opinion have not overreacted to these aforementioned broadcasts, policies and events is that they have a common sense stemming from their belief. Nevertheless, it does not mean that they shall never react. It should be ensured that Muslim public opinion react to these all the Anti-Islamist broadcasts, policies and acts through peaceful means."

Once again, We call all the European governments to use their common sense and heed, and to revise their attidutes in order to build social peace.

What is UNIW?

The Conference with the topic of “The International Conference of Non-governmental Organizations of the Islamic World : Searching for a New Vision in a Changing World “ was organized with the participation of more than three hundred non-governmental organizations from 40 countries, on the date of May 1, 2005 in Istanbul.

On the first day of the Conference, the Speaker of the Parliament Mr.Bulent ARINÇ made a speech. On the second day the Foreign Minister Abdullah GUL  gave  a speech as well. In the last session of the Conference, a debate was initiated over the draft regulation of the Association, and the establishment of The Union of Non-Governmental Organizations of Islamic World was agreed upon with the votes of the representatives who participated to the Conference.

For the first three-year period, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Voluntary Organizations Foundation (TGTV) Necmi SADIKOGLU was elected as Secretary General of the Union. Istanbul was chosen as the headquarters of the Union. Ali KURT was elected as the Turkish representative of the Union. The Union of NGOs of The Islamic World has completed its foundation process with the Cabinet Decree dated December 31, 2005, under the provisions of the Act No. 3335 regarding the Foundation of the Organizations Having International Characteristic. At the present, the Union has 110 members. Mr. A.Cihangir Isbilir is the General Coordinator of the Union.

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