Türkiye calls for preventing ‘heinous acts’ that target Islam

Türkiye's National Security Council on Wednesday called for preventing the acts that target Islam under the "guise of freedom of expression."

The council said that states that do not fulfill their responsibilities in preventing "heinous acts" that are described as hate crimes by the UN and offend nearly 2 billion Muslims are asked to change their attitudes "as soon as possible" and fight together against attacks on sacred values, according to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

Islamophobic figures or groups have repeatedly carried out Quran burnings and similar desecration attempts in Northern Europe in recent months, drawing outrage from Muslim countries and the world.

The statement came after the National Security Council met under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex.

The council also discussed in detail the course of the Russia-Ukraine war and its possible effects on the region.

"All parties were called upon to sit at the negotiating table and end the war without delay. It was emphasized that returning to the (Black Sea) grain agreement would prevent possible negative effects in needy countries and contribute to food stability," the statement added.

On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in the deal, which it signed in July 2022 along with Türkiye, the UN, and Ukraine to resume grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February last year. Moscow has complained that the Russian part of the agreement was not being implemented.

Türkiye, internationally praised for its unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

The council was informed about the operations carried out against all kinds of threats and dangers-especially terror groups PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG, Daesh/ISIS and Fetullah terrorist Organization (FETÖ)-against Türkiye's national unity and solidarity, according to the statement.

About the FETÖ, it was once again emphasized that "this treasonous network, which was designed and set in motion to prevent Türkiye's strategic gains, especially in the fields of security and foreign policy, will not be allowed to exist under any circumstances."

FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fethullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 253 people were killed and 2,734 wounded in Türkiye.

The PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants, in its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye.

In 2013, Türkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization.

The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed attacks. In response, Türkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

The council said that enhancing Türkiye's cooperation with Iraq in every field will contribute to achieving significant gains for both countries and for the region.

"It was pointed out that sincerely supporting Türkiye's efforts to combat terrorism and ensure security and stability will strengthen the ground for cooperation," the statement added.

About the 100th anniversary of the Lausanne Treaty, the council said: "The determination to consolidate the order established by the treaty, which has been the basis of peace and stability in our region for a century, has been confirmed in line with the interests of our nation."

The Treaty of Lausanne-signed by Türkiye on one side and Britain, France, Italy, Greece, and their allies on the other-recognized the modern Turkish state and replaced the 1920 Treaty of Sevres, an unfair pact imposed on the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

The council also discussed the latest developments in Africa and climate change, and also its effects that can trigger many issues, including irregular migration, and internal turmoil.

"It was stated that only the fair and sincere efforts of the international community and cooperation can bring a solution to this common problem of humanity," the statement said.