Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, President Abdullah Gül stated that the residents of Turkey are the essential citizens no matter what their beliefs or ethnicities may be, Gül said, “It is enough to be a citizen of the Republic of Turkey to respect all creeds. This is all of our homeland.” Also attending the event were the religious leaders of non-Muslim sects.

- “We love each other”

Stating that the past will one day be forgotten and new generations will live in a better future, Gül went on, “Truth is learned after experiencing pain. With this iftar today, we show that the awareness for this exists. Today, we see the richness of Turkey. Everyone in Turkey should embrace each other. Of course we have problems. We have the power to overcome these problems. The coming years will be so much brighter. We will look back and wonder at the things we had to deal with. We are a country which has passed many thresholds.”

Also speaking during the supper were businessmen Zeynel Abidin Erdem and Adnan Polay.

- İftar attendees

Among the attendees were, Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Çelik, Minister of State İdris Naim Şahin, İstanbul Mayor Hüsay Avni Mutlu, İstanbul Municipality Director Kadir Topbaş, İstanbul Police Department Head Hüseyin Çapkın, AK Party İstanbul Rep. Hakan Şükür, CHP İstanbul Rep. Gürsel Tekin, Erdem Holding Board President Zeynel Abidin Erdem, Anatolia Alewi Federation Chairman Cengiz Hortoğlu, Fener Rum Patriği Bartholomeos, Turkey Caferi Leader Selahattin Özgündüz and Wordl Ehl-i Beyt Foundation President Fermani Altun.
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