Erdogan calls for solidarity day against Islamophobia

By Hanife Sevins, Andac Hongur and Berk Ozkan

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish president on Wednesday called on the UN, international and regional organizations to designate March 15 as International Solidarity Day Against Islamophobia.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks came at the opening ceremony of 35th Ministerial Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC).

"Those who claim defending democracy and human rights play ostrich when it comes to Muslims, and migrants are abused in their own lands,” Erdogan said.

On March 15, at least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured when a terrorist shot worshippers in cold blood at two mosques in New Zealand.

Erdogan said Israel is not respecting Palestinians’ right to life, property and work, and jeopardizing future of all world together with regional countries.

“Those who are trying to turn Jerusalem, which is a sacred city for three religions, into a center of their beliefs by looting it are making a big mistake,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president stressed that the Western countries were “spoiling Israel knowingly or unknowingly”, which was just fueling tensions.

“Turkey is resolute to continue defending the rights of our Palestinians brothers and sisters in all platforms,” he added.

- Earthquake in Albania

Speaking about Tuesday’s 6.4-magnitude earthquake that left 20 people dead and 600 others injured in Albania, Erdogan called on the Muslim countries to help the earthquake-hit country.

“I believe that we need to stand by Albania,” the Turkish president said.

Erdogan noted Turkey is sending humanitarian assistance to Albania and said the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) will help quake-hit people of Albania.

“Our aid convoys are being sent one after another. The aid trucks will also reach Albania today,” he said.

The COMCEC, which is headquartered in Ankara and chaired by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was established during the 3rd Islamic Summit held in 1981 and became operational in 1984.

As the highest ministerial platform for the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) -- the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN -- the COMCEC aims to improve economic and commercial relations among member countries.