A number of Turkish and Arab journalists announced the launch of an initiative to address the wave of racism that has increasingly appeared in Turkey recently against immigrants in general, and Arabs in particular, with a focus on the Syrians who hold a special place in their hearts.
The media witnessed many reports about racist incidents in Turkey, in which tourists and non-Turkish foreign residents were subjected to discrimination and attacks. Although they were individual, they constituted an event that should be put to an end.
Many economists and politicians have denounced this matter and warned of the dangerous effects affecting the social and economic structure of Turkey, especially after the racist manifestations that have recently appeared by Turkish opposition leaders.
In response to this situation, a group of Turkish and Arab journalists launched this initiative and published their opinions on social media sites in Arabic and Turkish on the necessity of mobilizing social energies and confronting this wave of racism that does not represent the approach of the Turkish people.
By publishing these opinions and demands, they affirmed the principle of the unity of all Muslims and that they are all brothers, regardless of nationality, race, or cultural background. They all agreed that Turkey is indeed a country that embraces diverse cultures and that the Turkish people are hospitable and generous towards foreigners and visitors, as they open their doors and hearts to receive guests from all over the world.
Therefore, the racist incidents that occur are individual incidents that do not express the feelings of the entire Turkish people.
Many Turkish and Arab journalists residing in Turkey participated in this initiative.
A Turkish court ruled to imprison eight people for carrying out provocative acts and incitement on social media platforms against refugees, irregular immigrants and foreigners in general.
The Turkish capital Ankara Police Command said in a statement yesterday, Saturday, that the Security Branch Directorate, the Anti-Cybercrime Department, and the Intelligence Department began joint investigations against accounts that engage in provocations and incitement to hatred on social media sites.
It added in its statement that the security teams identified 27 accounts participating in posts urging mutual hatred on social media, including anti-refugees and immigrants, and inciting hostility towards the Turks in front of public opinion.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that the perpetrators of despicable attacks against foreign tourists will receive the necessary punishment before the judiciary.
Erdogan said in a press statement last week: “Turkey is a state of law, and the perpetrators of despicable attacks against our guests will receive the necessary punishments before the law. The thing that I have always insisted on is that we need to use the language that tourists understand in signs and signals, especially in tourist areas, and we cannot follow the same path that the opposition is taking.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
