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A Call For A Turkish-Islamic Union
By the will and blessing of Allah, the union of the Turkish-Islamic world will be one that brings about the peace and security so longed for in the 21st century. The aim of this union, to be founded on the basis of love, brotherhood, affection, tolerance, cooperation and dialogue, is to bring economic well-being, a democratic way of life and justice to its region. The name of this union, which will elevate spiritual values and enable art, technology and science to ascend to the highest levels, is the Turkish-Islamic Union.
As a means for bringing together people of the same language and religion, this union to be built on love, brotherhood and Islamic moral values, will also embrace those of different tongues and faiths. The finest historical implementation of this is to be seen in the Ottoman Empire, of which modern-day Turkey is the heir. The Ottoman Empire, which included Jewish and Armenian commanders in the ranks of its army, never imposed any restrictive measures on the worship of members of other faiths, and never inflicted the slightest harm on their places of worship. The Qur'an makes it clear that it is permissible to eat with and marry women from the People of the Book, and that there is no prohibition against living together with the People of the Book and treating them with justice. Abiding scrupulously by this understanding, the Ottoman Empire constructed a long-term union in the lands it ruled in which all people were content.
We must make it clear that the union being described here is not of course the re-establishment of the Ottoman Empire. While maintaining their own administrative systems and borders, the states that will establish a union similar to the European Union will be members of a cultural union founded on love and brotherhood. We may compare the Turkish-Islamic Union to a “patriarchal” family. All the members of such a family are free to act and take decisions as they wish. However, every member also feels deep love and respect for the head of the family. In the event of any dispute or misunderstanding the views of the head of the family are sought and acted upon. That will be the spirit of the union to be constructed.
What is meant, in other words, is the establishment of a new climate filled with peace and love, in which people can live as friends and brothers, adopting the Ottoman conception of state and nation as a role model. With its wide administrative experience and affection, the Ottoman Empire demonstrated many times that it is possible for peace and security to be brought to regions that have become centers of conflict. Naturally, this genuine cooperation will also permit the establishment of a powerful economic, cultural and political union in the rich lands of the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Central Asia, Central and North Africa, and stretching as far as the Far East.
The Turkish-Islamic Union will enjoy warm relations with the Western world. It will enable both sides to easily resolve any difficulties encountered in their relations. This structure, founded on the basis of understanding and justice, will guarantee the parties' rights and ensure the protection of mutual interests. In this way, levels of well-being of all states will rise alongside those of members of the union. In addition, it will enjoy healthy, constructive and positive relations with such international institutions as the European Union, NATO and G8.
In this way, the Turkish-Islamic Union will assume the aim and duty of a responsibility hitherto never undertaken by any existing community or institution. The important thing in the establishment of the Turkish-Islamic Union is for the “spiritual” aspect of this union to be emphasized. In that respect the Turkish-Islamic Union will be a union of hearts wealthy in meaning rather than a formal, technical and soulless one based on interest.
In the bringing together of the Turkish-Islamic World on a basis of love and brotherhood, the leadership role falls today, as it did in the past, on the Republic of Turkey. This exalted duty does not stem from any Turkish pretence to superiority or dominion but is a natural consequence stemming from Turkey's historical experience of affairs of state, its humility, its love of service, its awareness of responsibility and Muslim's characteristics of service.
Concrete steps towards the formation of such a union today will be agreed by the states in the region. The Turkish-Islamic Union will bring with it a conception whereby the backwardness, poverty, ignorance, bloodshed, destruction and suffering in the region where it is to be established will be replaced by peace, wealth, science, art, happiness and similar desirable features. In addition, this union will be one that harbors within itself the most advanced civilization of our time, the richest lands and a superior culture, and will leave its mark on the 21st century.
Because of these desirable characteristics, and with the aim of the immediate establishment of a climate of peace and security on Earth, everyone with a sense of responsibility must engage in sincere endeavors for this union to be established and put into operation.
The world stands in urgent need of this broad union, that will harbor within itself love, brotherhood and dialogue.
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