(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Summit Meeting for Religious Leaders of Muslim Countries & Communities of African Continent which took place in Istanbul brought together religious leaders from Muslim countries and communities in Africa. The event was hosted by Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs.
Mehmet Gormez, the head of Directorate of Religious Affairs, read out the declaration.
It said, "today, the image of Africa being depicted by colonization, slave commerce, internal wars and helplessness in general, hides the cultural and spiritual richness of the people in the continent. However Africa shall be referred by its contribution to humanity in the fields of science and thought. This is the reality of Africa.
"In order to resolve the main problems of the continent and to provide the world to have correct relations with African societies, common efforts shall be made as humanity in the direction of changing the incorrect image being composed," it said.
The declaration said, "it is the top priority wish of everyone having a good conscience to stop the bloodshed between brothers and to reach a healthy solution of these precarious circumstances experienced particularly in North African countries, the Middle East, the Arab world and the rest of the world. In this process, our world is facing famine and drought on one hand and disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods on the other hand."
The declaration said, "in conflicts and internal wars continuing in various regions of Africa, the attacks targeting directly innocent public, mosques and prayer rooms, holy locations and historical artworks is actually a crime against humanity. Our greatest wish is the stop of conflicts and wars arising in these regions. It shall be known that efforts and sincere approaches in this direction are being expected from different religion members. Especially all kinds of efforts in the direction of assuring the life, property and honor and religious freedom of African people, making them reach a peaceful life and spreading and encouraging peace and tolerance shall be supported by everyone."
"All kinds of religious, sectarian, ideological and conservative fanaticism, that extends to the degree of preventing the reach of humanitarian aids to Africa continent, shall be censured; it shall be assisted to Africa on its combat with problems such as famine, poverty, scarcity, racism, malignant diseases, lack of education and limitation of freedom of belief. It is obvious that the sincere non-governmental organizations, carrying out operations on this subject, shall cooperate among themselves and with the institutions of relevant countries," it said.
"The requirement for spiritual guidance based on healthy religious information in the countries of the region necessitates the realization of a formation like 'Afro-Asia Islamic World Spiritual Leaders Union' which can undertake initiative for the establishment of peace and serenity especially in the crisis regions. A committee shall be composed in order to perform preparatory study on the structure, content and operation of this union," it said.
The final declaration said, "it is necessary to establish radio and TV stations in the countries of the continent by which the Islam religion is presented, religious information is given and educatory and cultural broadcasts are made. These services will contribute to the extensive education of Muslims in the continent and to raise their awareness against incorrect religious and cultural inspirations."
"A permanent secretary shall be composed within the body of Directorate of Religious Affairs regarding the close follow-up of decrees made within the frame of Turkey - Africa Muslim Countries and Societies Meeting," it said.
The declaration added, "in the sociocultural problem areas which the Islamic world faces as the Muslim Africa countries and societies being the foremost due to its information, richness and experience from history, its geopolitical and geostrategic position, democratic structure, economic and industrial level, its religious spiritual potential as from history, we fully believe that Turkey will share its opportunities with its Muslim brothers from now on, as it did until now."
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