ISTANBUL - The "1st World Congress of Muslim Philantropists" kicked off on Saturday in Istanbul with the participation of international philantropists and representatives of various NGOs.
Dr. Nevzat Yalcintas, chairman of the Preparatory Committee, said that today`s gathering in Istanbul came together for a noble cause of helping humans in need and difficulty.
"The fact that the congress is taking place in Istanbul, a city which for centuries was a center helping those in need, is very important," Dr. Yalcintas indicated.
"As the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul was world`s most populated city with a population of 400,000 people. During the Ottoman era, there were special institutions providing aid and help to 10 percent of the population in Istanbul," Dr. Yalcintas noted.
"Ottoman philantropy was not only limited to Istanbul. Ottoman philantropists and foundations to help the ones in need were also present in cities like Mecca, Madina and Jerusalem. After the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, permissions were granted to individuals to set up foundations to help the needy. Today`s congress is important for information sharing among charity organizations, in establishing communication ties among groups and in facilitating coordination among philantropists," Dr. Yalcindag remarked.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ali Bardakoglu, Director General of Turkish Religious Affairs Department, said that charity involves spending what you love most for others.
"If we closely study what is taking place globally, we can see that people are suffering great pain and that humanity turned the globe into chaos," Dr. Bardakoglu noted.
"Aid to the needy must be done in the name of God. Helping the ones in need is a form of praying and a religious act," Dr. Bardakoglu indicated.
"Religious figures must be the leaders in issues of environment and helping the needy. Global peace is not difficult. We only need to know ourselves and go beyond personal greed," Dr. Bardakoglu stressed.
On the other hand, Sheikha Aisha Al-Thani, founder of the Doha Academy and Qatari Princess, told that philantropists must reach those in need throughout the world.
"Most of the people who are unreachable in the world are comprised of women and children. The number of illiterate children can be described as millions in the world," Al-Thani noted.
The field of education is highly important for global philantropists, Al-Thani told.
Aside from education, the needy must be provided aid in health matters, Al-Thani stated.
Providing health care, vaccinations and medicines as well as healthy food carries high importance, Al-Thani also said.
(SOL-AY)