Presidency’s Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun sent a video message to “Kızılay Talks: World Volunteers Day Special Session” organised online.
Fahrettin Altun began by saying, “ I am honoured to be addressing you in this event held by the Turkish Red Crescent that makes us proud with its works carried out in all corners of the world, under the harshest conditions and that represents the benevolent Anatolian people in the best way with the power it takes from our august nation."
Stating that under the strong leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Republic of Turkey had become one of the leading countries of the world in the field of humanitarian aid and all relevant institutions and organisations, Turkish Red Crescent, in particular, had made significant contributions to this process, Altun emphasized that President Erdoğan's vision, which adopts international cooperation, solidarity, and not to remain silent against injustice and victimization, guided the efforts for humanitarian aid as it did in every field.
Fahrettin Altun said, "Turkish Red Crescent also rushes to help our citizens in every region within our borders, from Van to İzmir, from Giresun to our Syrian border, and reminds us that we are part of a large family of 83 million in all kinds of adverse conditions, day and night. Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to extend my thanks to the Turkish Red Crescent family for their efforts to turn our flag with the star and crescent into a symbol of hope for the oppressed people of the world."
Pointing out that Turkey had once again earned the respect and approval of the international society with its rise in recent years to become a world leader in the field of humanitarian aid, Altun noted:
"Turkey has always been free from diseases such as racism and fascism for we ‘love the created for the love of the Creator’. With humanity originating in the Anatolian geography and not outside, we aimed for not dominion of all from Africa to Southeast Asia and South America but sharing the same fate and establishing a win-win relationship. It is no secret that some people today are disturbed by the kindness shown by our country in the geographies where colonialism had played havoc. There are those that are not happy with Turkey becoming the voice of the voiceless inside and outside, in a manner worthy of its history. This imported mentality that asks, “What are you doing there?” at every opportunity, is incapable of comprehending the legacy of our martyrs lying in Çanakkale, our kins that took to the streets in Baku with Turkish and Azerbaijani flags, and our children that hold on to life with the star-moon.
Another reflection of this imported and ill mentality is the spread and normalisation of hate speech in our country and in Europe, particularly concerning the refugees. This view, which is diametrically against our faith and values, is adopted by certain circles who try to poison our future with the stereotypes and frames of the previous century and regard themselves as progressives. Certain people, who continuously make every effort to earn the Europeans' approval but who are always viewed as second class, work to intoxicate our nation with racism today for their own political gains. Undoubtedly, this mentality, which considers the Middle East as a swamp, the African people as cannibals, and Europe as the civilisation, feed essentially on those people who also despise Anatolia's own children and insult our own values."
Fahrettin Altun continued his address as follows:
"Discrimination and racism, which are once again on the rise in Europe due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, make it possible to utter certain words against Muslims on the so-called pretext of "freedom of thought" that are otherwise unutterable against a Jew. Putting the Muslim children's names on lists particularly in France, organizing assaults and attacks against mosques under the colour of national security and the rising racist assaults are overlooked because of these double standards. We have to protect ourselves, our children and our culture from this imported and ill feeling of hatred. Let us not forget that those who point refugees as a target by political motivations become indistinguishable from those ignorant people in Europe who say 'All Muslims are terrorists' or 'All Turks are guilty'. Together, we need to show the world that injustices and victimisations are not the fate and that there is strength in unity. We need to realize that a better future is possible only through solidarity and collaboration and we need to explain this reality for those who do not want to understand it."
Director of Communications Altun noted that Turkish Red Crescent's volunteering activities filled a very important void in this regard and said, "Our young people in the voluntary programme that supports solidarity and cooperation will better understand that despite everything that makes us different from each other, we are one and the same in our essence. Doing volunteering works and activities does not provide a person with material gain, but rather a much more valuable experience and understanding. Turkish Red Crescent volunteers accomplish very important tasks all around Turkey and make people’s lives better in many areas ranging from first aid training to disaster management and psychological support".
Altun added, "I call on all our young people to be volunteers of Turkish Red Crescent."