ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has remarked today (Sunday) that he repeats his call to the Islamic World that if we do not take care of our home and organize it, then others will do the job. ''The way to clean our home will be through a realistic reform process,'' said Gul.
Participating in a conference on ''International Islamic World NGOs,'' Gul stressed that there is a growing international interest on the Islamic World. ''We must utilize this interest and introduce the ethical and moral values in Islam to a broader audience. Every international conference can teach a principle of Islam,'' told Gul.
Gul expressed that, in international conferences, the representatives of Islamic countries have important roles. ''Yet Islamic NGOs can be more influential in global politics,'' commented Gul. ''NGOs could have a better role in discussing the difficulties faced in the Islamic World.''
Gul mentioned that Islam is being studied closely in the West. ''As Muslims, we must not turn our back to such studies. Instead, we must participate in such studies as intellectuals and contribute to better understanding of Islam,'' stated Gul.
Gul added that, as a religion of tolerance and peace, Islam can influence global matters. Turkey's accession into the European Union will demonstrate that Islam's values are universal and democratic, one that can live with Europeans under one roof, pointed out Gul.