AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): As part of efforts to expand news and content cooperation between ABNA News Agency and like-minded media centers in Turkey, a delegation of ABNA managers visited several media institutions in the country.
The visit aimed to pave the way for drafting cooperation agreements to be signed by senior officials, exchange experiences, explore opportunities for joint initiatives, assess the possibility of establishing an ABNA representative office in Turkey, and engage in discussions with local intellectuals and media professionals.
Meeting with ON4 TV Executives in Turkey
One of the key programs of the visit was a meeting with officials from ON4 TV, Turkey’s Channel 14. Attendees included Sheikh Qadir Akaras, head of the Kowsar group, President of the Union of AhlulBayt (a.s.) Scholars, and one of the network’s directors, along with Sheikh Hurriyet Varavol, Director of Broadcasting at the network. The discussions underscored the need for enhanced cooperation and synergy between the two organizations.
During the meeting, Mr. Akaras outlined the history and development of the Kowsar group and ON4 TV, elaborating on its various departments and areas of focus. He stated, “The common ground between the AhlulBayt (a.s.) News Agency – ABNA – and Channel 14 lies in the message of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school of thought, which makes cooperation between the two entities all the more necessary.”
He emphasized that, given the current global developments, the world is in need of the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), and joint media efforts can significantly contribute to promoting this school of thought through the media platform.
Akaras added that international media outlets must pay closer attention to cultural, political, and religious considerations within various countries. He noted that building connections and working collaboratively with aligned media in those regions is a key step toward achieving this.
Referring to previous discussions on a cooperation agreement, the head of the Kowsar group highlighted the importance of a comprehensive memorandum of understanding to regulate joint efforts. He added, “The draft of the MoU provides a framework for undertaking all forms of media collaboration aligned with our shared goals.”
Mr. Akaras also expressed strong interest in finalizing and signing the agreement soon, noting ABNA’s pivotal role in promoting and articulating the AhlulBayt (a.s.) doctrine internationally.
Mr. Hurriyet Varavol, for his part, proposed a news exchange initiative, stating that such cooperation could strengthen both parties’ media presence in each country.
The Director of Broadcasting at Channel 14 also highlighted the network’s capabilities and praised ABNA’s impactful work, especially in its Turkish-language section. He noted that while all areas of media work are important, multimedia content, innovative formats, and modern technology are increasingly vital given today’s media consumption trends.
Mr. Hurriyet Varavol emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and resources in the media field and proposed organizing joint training programs to enhance the capabilities of both organizations.
The ABNA delegation proceeded to tour various departments of ON4 TV. During the visit, Mr. Varavol provided explanations regarding key sections of the network, including the control room, technical infrastructure, and the program production process. He also delivered a report on the channel’s operations, particularly its production of cultural and religious content.
The program also included a visit to the website department of the Kowsar Cultural Center. Sheikh Mohammad Yesilot, one of the department’s senior officials, elaborated on the department’s activities and stressed the importance of mutual understanding in establishing a news and content exchange framework with ABNA.
Meeting with a Senior Official from Quds TV, Turkey
Another highlight of ABNA’s visit to Turkey was a meeting with Mr. Ekrem Ekşi, a senior executive at Quds TV in Turkey.
Expressing his satisfaction with the meeting, Mr. Ekşi recalled previous interactions and dialogue with ABNA, commending the Turkish-language section’s personnel for their engagement with Turkish scholars and intellectuals and their deep understanding of the country’s religious and cultural dynamics. “This close relationship and cultural awareness are vital for building trust among audiences and naturally give rise to new ideas and shared perspectives,” he said.
The veteran media professional and political analyst stressed the importance of focusing on the Resistance, particularly the Palestinian cause, in light of recent developments in the Muslim world. “This focus is a point of convergence between Quds TV and ABNA,” he stated, adding that both organizations also share potential for collaboration in other areas.
He highlighted the need for establishing a consistent and well-structured relationship between Quds TV and ABNA and expressed support for the provisions outlined in the draft memorandum of understanding. “The management of Quds TV also supports this initiative and is committed to finalizing and signing the agreement as soon as possible in order to deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation,” he said.
Visit to Al-Mustafa International University’s Representation in Turkey
As part of their visit, ABNA’s managers also met with Hojat al-Islam Kashani, the Director of Al-Mustafa International University’s representation in Turkey and toured various departments of the center.
In the meeting, Hojat al-Islam Kashani welcomed the delegation and presented an overview of the center’s activities. He highlighted media engagement and content production as among the top priorities of Al-Mustafa’s representation in Turkey. “We seek closer cooperation and synergy with institutions such as ABNA, which in recent years has shown commendable focus on issues of concern to Al-Mustafa,” he stated.
Dr. Kashani emphasized that disseminating the message of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) through media platforms and empowering media professionals devoted to this sacred school of thought could serve as a shared objective between Al-Mustafa’s representation and ABNA. He stressed the importance of conducting media training courses in Iran and Turkey, as well as facilitating the exchange of news, content, and media experience to advance this common goal.
Referring to the draft memorandum of understanding between ABNA and Al-Mustafa’s office in Turkey, he described the representation as ABNA’s partner and operational arm in the country. He highlighted proposed areas of collaboration, including the joint production of programs, the presentation of AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings, such as Nahj al-Balagha and Sahifa Sajjadiyya, through media, and the development of educational media content focusing on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
During a visit to the media production studio of the representation, Hojat al-Islam Kashani outlined the center’s media priorities and described ABNA as a trusted partner for collaborative initiatives. He noted the significant potential for involving Turkish university professors and intellectuals in producing documentaries and conducting scholarly interviews centered on Islamic history and the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). “ABNA can utilize these capacities to create high-quality productions for audiences interested in regional Islamic studies,” he stated.
In these meetings, Mr. Asghari, Editor-in-Chief of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International News Agency – ABNA – and Mr. Mohannati, Head of the agency’s Turkish-language department, conveyed greetings from the agency’s director and staff. They presented an overview of ABNA’s mission and activities, especially those related to the Turkish section, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing the proposed collaborations.
Among the key areas discussed were: coverage of religious and AhlulBayt-related news and events; the production of Islamic content focused on AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings; multimedia productions; the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence; engagement with religious scholars, intellectuals, and international media professionals; and the provision of media training through the AhlulBayt (a.s.) Media Academy.
It is noteworthy that the visit also included interviews and discussions with several scholars, university professors, and media professionals.
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