President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Ekrem İmamoğlu, met with faith groups living in Istanbul at an iftar table. At the meeting held at the Istanbul Congress Center, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos, Syriac Orthodox Community Spiritual Leader Yusuf Çetin, Turkey Jewish Chief Rabbinate Representative Rav. Naftali Haleva, Turkey Caferis Leader Selahattin Özgündüz, Alevi Associations Federation President Zeynel Abidin Koç, Şişli Mufti Tahsin Aydın and İmamoğlu each gave speeches. İmamoğlu, who said, “I pray to God that this blessed month brings peace, tranquility and abundance to the Islamic world and humanity,” said, “Istanbul is a table of civilizations. Istanbul is an ancient city that has been overflowing with the flavors of different cultures, civilizations and languages for centuries. It has no equivalent in the world. As is the case today, many faith systems have existed side by side in this city in the past.”
“WE BELIEVE THAT OUR DIRECTORATE OF RELATIONS WITH RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITIES WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT SERVICES TO OUR CITY”
Emphasizing that this diversity of Istanbul forms the most sublime foundation of our culture of living together, İmamoğlu said, “We have adopted this understanding since the beginning, seeing differences as our richness, and we have considered it our duty to serve all faith groups with love and a sense of responsibility, and we will continue to do so. We believe that our Religious Institutions and Communities Relations Department, which we established as part of this duty, will provide important services to our city in the name of social peace. Religious and cultural institutions have always played important roles in this city in the name of social peace and have become an indispensable part of social life. Our Religious Institutions and Communities Relations Department will also establish an effective communication network with all faith groups in Istanbul, will serve their problems and needs sensitively, and will contribute to the strengthening of our spiritual unity. With this new unit of our institution, we will set an example for the world, and I have full faith that our gathering around the same table today at the blessed table of the month of Ramadan will be an example to the world and a source of inspiration.”
“WE TOOK THE GUARDIANSHIP OF ISTANBUL AND WE MUST DO IT JUSTICE”
“As IMM, we continue to work with all our heart and soul to properly protect and keep alive the unique heritage that our Istanbul, which was entrusted to us by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, has accumulated for thousands of years,” said İmamoğlu, and shared the information that IMM Heritage teams have meticulously protected 610 historical graves and cemeteries, and 19 tombs. Providing detailed information about the structures in the city that serve different belief groups and the work they have done there, İmamoğlu said, “Istanbul’s historical tombs, cemeteries and faith stations are precious traces that keep alive the sacred memory of our ancestors who came and passed through this city for hundreds of years. Each of them has a right for the spirit of Istanbul today. And they expect us to pay for that right. We have undertaken the guardianship of Istanbul and we must do it justice. In this sense, carrying our spiritual heritage to the value it deserves is not only an understanding of service for us, but also an expression of our loyalty to this city.”
“WE SERVE OUR PLACES OF WORSHIP WITH A TEAM OF 116 PEOPLE”
Emphasizing that they aim not to leave any area abandoned to its fate in Istanbul, İmamoğlu said:
“We definitely want to give it the value it deserves, in a way that suits today and suits us, and suits our humanity. One of the services we care about very much is the routine maintenance and cleaning services we provide in 22 mosques, 44 of which are Selatin mosques, throughout Istanbul, in line with the protocol we signed with the General Directorate of Foundations and the Presidency of Religious Affairs. We provide services in these areas with a strong team of 116 people, and we also provide services to historical mosques such as Fatih Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque, as well as mosques such as Büyük Çamlıca Mosque, Ataşehir Mimar Sinan Mosque and Marmara Theology Mosque. I hope that with each of our values that we take care of, protect and make a part of city life again, we will add strength to the power of Istanbul born of love, respect and unity.”
“THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN NEED OF FITRAH AND CHARITY”
Emphasizing that they also provide similar services for cemevis, churches and synagogues, İmamoğlu concluded his speech with the following words:
“I would also like to state that we are going through difficult times both domestically and internationally as a country, and in many ways, we are going through difficult times that have tested us and our patience. Of course, we have millions of people who are in need of alms and charity. Our people, especially on these blessed days, are showing patience with wisdom. Undoubtedly, we have to struggle together to find a way out. Our most important guide regarding patience, our people’s feeling and understanding each other these days are the values that the blessed month of Ramadan has taught us. Those values primarily advise us to be solidarity, to be merciful and to be united. Throughout history, many blessed figures have emerged within Muslim societies who have advised sultans and administrators to follow the truth and justice. Their advice has left deep traces in our memories. Because justice and fairness are requirements of Islam. As a society, we need to come together at the same table, not to be divided any further. We have to work together with common sense and in harmony to build a better future.”
“THE METHODS THAT WILL LEAD US TO SUCCESS ARE ALSO IN OUR HISTORY AND IN OUR FAITH”
“The methods that will lead us to success are present in our history and our faith. By combining the requirements of our religion with the needs of the day, we can become a stronger society. Our efforts are to bring justice, brotherhood and peace to this city and this country. I believe with all my heart that we will achieve this by drawing strength from each other. I would like to emphasize that the principle of ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’ of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of this country, who told us that war is murder, is a very sacred trust for us. Again, the understanding of ‘Let people live so that the state lives’, which is present in the upbringing of the Ottoman Empire in these ancient lands, actually describes a tremendous current future for us with its mind that points to its people without specifying any belief. Again, from Hazrat Mevlana to Hacı Bektaşi Veli, from Yunus Emre to the other saints who were born in these lands and who have elevated us with their legacy, each one has entrusted us with peace, tranquility, unity, being alive, not hurting even if you are hurt, and the mind that always points us to goodness, peace and tranquility.”
“MAY HIS MERCY, MERCY AND BLESSINGS BE ON US”
“Just as these concepts will keep us strong, make us a strong state and nation, and make us strong, happy and peaceful for every belief, rest assured that the peace, unity and togetherness of the Republic of Turkey, its perspective on every belief, every culture, every language and every ethnicity will not only be beneficial to us, but also to the south, north, east and west of this country and even to all of humanity, and I would like to share with you here that it will be beneficial. May Allah grant us all to stay away from what is forbidden and close to truth and justice. May His mercy, compassion and blessings be upon us. May the Creator accept and make our fasts acceptable. May the Creator grant peace and tranquility to our country, the whole world and all of humanity with the prayers of all of us. May your Ramadan be blessed with these feelings.”
