― 9 сентября 2026 г.
TURKSOY Secretary General Raev: "Our response to Islamophobia and racism must be culture."
Speaking at the 1st Forum of Muslim Diasporas held in Ankara in cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), Mr. Sultan Raev, the Secretary General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) emphasised the need to build bridges through culture and the arts in the face of rising discriminatory trends worldwide.
The “1st Forum of Muslim Diasporas” jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), took place in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye.
Gathering participants under the motto “From Roots to Horizons”, the forum attended by Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz, the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, representatives of international organisations, ambassadors and ministers addressed the global “soft power” potential of Muslim communities and avenues for mutual solidarity.
Speaking at the forum on September 9th, 2026, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev highlighted that Turkish and Muslim communities living in Europe serve as a strong bridge between their host countries and their homelands.
“Culture does not build walls; it builds bridges”
Pointing out that racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and extremist movements are on the rise worldwide today, Secretary General Raev stated that the strongest response to these trends lies in cultural diplomacy and added: “We must not respond to these with the same language. Our response must be culture. It must be art. It must be dialogue. Because culture does not build walls. Culture builds bridges.”
A ‘Department Responsible for Turkic Communities’ has been established within TURKSOY
Noting that TURKSOY attaches particular importance to kindred citizens of Turkic origin living outside member countries, Secretary General Raev announced that, in line with this vision, a ‘Department Responsible for Turkic Communities’ has been established within the Organisation.
Stating that TURKSOY attaches utmost importance to young people preserving their language, culture and identity, Secretary General Raev emphasised the need for the diaspora of the Turkic World to act in a more coordinated and cohesive manner through the sharing of experiences and the gathering of young people.
“Homeland is the language, memory and culture that a person carries within”
Secretary General Raev who also highlighted as an author that cultural belonging is a concept which transcends geographical boundaries went on saying: “Sometimes, you may live far from your homeland. But you do not have to live far from your culture. Because your homeland is not merely the land on which you live. Homeland is your language, your memory and culture which you carry within yourself. If we preserve our roots, we will walk towards the future with greater strength. Our roots connect us to our past, whilst our culture carries us into the future.”
Emphasis on a strong ecosystem for mutual solidarity
Addressing participants at the opening session of the forum, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted that Muslim diasporas have enriched world heritage in many different fields ranging from science to art, and from entrepreneurship to public service from past to present and stressed the need to build a strong ecosystem which will foster mutual solidarity.
The event also assessed the critical role of the Islamic diaspora in raising worldwide awareness about the Palestinian cause in the face of the humanitarian tragedy which is unfolding in Gaza and pointed at the importance of strategies of joint action amongst various diasporas.
