A gathering of religious leaders from Muslim communities across Africa, organized by Türkiye's Religious Affairs Directorate, concluded in Istanbul on Friday. Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu presented the meeting's final declaration at a closing news conference.
The statement said participants recognized that certain irresponsible actions had insulted Islamic values and created tensions, urging religious leaders to actively counter such developments. It also emphasized that Islam's principles call for Muslims to coexist peacefully alongside other communities, and that clerics should help their congregations grasp shared human challenges.
The declaration highlighted longstanding historical bonds between Türkiye and African nations, encouraging greater religious, cultural, and educational cooperation among African Muslim countries. It also suggested that the Turkish government and civil society organizations could assist African nations with health, education, and infrastructure needs.
Preservation of Ottoman-era mosques in Africa was recommended as a way to sustain historical and cultural links with Türkiye. The statement additionally expressed African Muslim countries' support for Türkiye's bid to join the European Union, arguing that membership of a Muslim-majority country would advance interfaith and intercultural peace.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.