Handan Kazanci
March 15, 2021•Update: March 15, 2021
ISTANBUL
Turkey on Monday pledged to keep fighting Islamophobia on the international agenda as March 15 marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Commemorating victims of the 2019 Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “On the occasion of second anniversary of the terrorist attack perpetrated in Christchurch/New Zealand on 15 March 2019, we commemorate with respect and mercy those 51 people who lost their lives, including one Turkish citizen."
“Turkey plays a leading role in combatting Islamophobia and intolerance at international fora and supports the efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at this direction,” the statement added. “To this end, the OIC Contact Group on Muslims in Europe was established upon Turkey’s initiative.”
Recalling Turkey’s efforts following the attack, “the Open Ended Emergency Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee was held on 22 March, 2019, in Istanbul at the level of Foreign Ministers upon Turkey’s call in her capacity as the then-OIC Summit Chair,” said the statement, noting: “On that occasion a call was made for raising international awareness on combatting Islamophobia.”
“Within this understanding, a resolution was adopted at the OIC 47th Council of Foreign Ministers held in Niamey on 27-28 November, 2020, to designate 15 March as the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’,” the statement added.
According to the ministry, a high-level virtual event will be held with the initiative of the OIC Group at the UN on March 17 to raise international awareness on combatting Islamophobia.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will participate in the event with a video message, the statement also said.
“Turkey’s active efforts and initiatives will continue with a view to keeping the fight against Islamophobia high on the agenda of international and regional organizations, in particular the UN,” it added.
“In addition, within the framework of a study initiated by our Ministry, annual reports on the countries where anti-Islamic, xenophobic and racist acts and discourses take place will be prepared and shared with international public opinion,” according to the statement.
Cavusoglu also said on Twitter: "It has been two years since #Christchurch terror attack. I commemorate with mercy the Muslim brothers and sisters who perished in this massacre."
"Launched International Day to Combat Islamophobia so 15 March is not forgotten. Should all continue together this fight resolutely," he added.
Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay also took to social media to denounce Islamophobia and xenophobia.
“On the anniversary of the terrorist attacks targeting Muslims in #Christchurch, I curse not only Islamophobia, and Xenophobia but also the distorted mentality that judges human beings by the color of their skin or belief,” Oktay posted on Twitter.
“Turkey's exemplary struggle against discrimination will continue without any compromise,” he added.
The Turkish presidential spokesman also released a statement to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and to commemorate those who died at the Christchurch terror attack.
Describing Islamophobia as one of the most important issues threatening international peace in recent years, Ibrahim Kalin said: “As Turkey, we strongly reject to marginalize others as well as to be marginalized by others.”
“We believe that this attitude is the common responsibility of not only Muslims but also humanity,” he added.
A safer, peaceful, prosperous, fair, participatory, and egalitarian world can only be built by fighting mentalities that spread hatred and marginalize others, Kalin noted, saying Turkey at every opportunity will continue to bring to the attention of the international community the reality of Islamophobia, and that the country is determined to fight all hate crimes.
On March 15, 2019, a terrorist attacked two mosques in the city of Christchurch during Friday prayers and killed 51 people and wounded 49 others.
The terrorist was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in August 2020 in the first such ruling ever handed down in the country.
